SHILLONG:
Opposition AITC leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma has questioned the recent decision by the Cabinet to approve a tendering process proposed by the Power department and cautioned the Cabinet ministers against getting trapped in the issue.
Mukul was referring to the decision of the Cabinet taken on August 25, where work was allotted to L1 bidder for implementation of the loss reduction project under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
“I am questioning the intent of that particular Cabinet agenda. The item for consideration and approval of the Cabinet which was brought by the Power department itself is reflective of the fact that there are certain irregularities in the process of tender. If there is no irregularity, why was it necessary for the Power department to bring it to the Cabinet,” Mukul told reporters.
He said there already is a set of rules notified by the Finance department for the tendering process and there are also the CVC (central vigilance commission) guidelines.
Raising questions, the former chief minister said, “If the PWD is calling a tender, are they coming to the Cabinet to get approval? So why did MeECL? MeECL is already an unbundled entity, it is no longer a state electricity board but a company.”
He went on to say that the Cabinet members approved someone else’s process of work, which might have been irregular, in a matter of five minutes. He questioned if the members knew whether MeECL was following procedures and if so, why did they need the approval of the Cabinet.
He also pointed out that the recent charge sheet by the Lokayukta against former members of the GHADC executive committee was because of a collective decision they took as an executive committee.
Mukul further alleged that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will put all the Cabinet ministers in a trap because of such a decision.
“Every tendering process has to adhere to the given norms which are in sync with the various notifications including Finance department and CVC guidelines. Unless there are deviations and irregularities, why will they need to bring it to the Cabinet? MeECL, being a company, requires unearthing of the facts. What exactly is there that requires the Cabinet to give approval?” he asked.
“If the Cabinet approves, then all Cabinet members will be held responsible. So indirectly the ministers, who are unnecessarily being dragged into it will also be held responsible,” the former chief minister added further.