Works awarded through transparent e-tendering: Kabra
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Sept 13: In response to the allegations of a “massive” scam in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by a senior IAS officer-which has also been raised by the opposition party Congress-the J&K administration today came out to clear the air through a response, dismissing the claims and attributing them to people who have “no understanding” of the system.
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Addressing a press conference here, Shaleen Kabra, Financial Commissioner of the Jal Shakti Department, stated that for the past few weeks, “incorrect and malicious” information has been propagated about the implementation of the JJM, alleging a scam of Rs 13,000 crore when, on the other hand, it has been stated that only Rs 800 crore have been spent till August 2023.
“But the public is being misled in both these aspects, as neither any scam has taken place nor the figures given in respect of the expenditure are correct. The total expenditure in JJM as of August 31st is Rs 3,088.30 crores, and every allotment/contract has been awarded strictly following the process laid down in the GFR,” he said.
Kabra said that such allegations are “complete nonsense and are made by people who have no understanding,” while noting that all the works have been awarded through a transparent and competitive e-tendering system after the approval of Administrative Approvals and Technical Sanctions, wherever required, before tendering.
“The works have been allotted strictly as per the Financial Power delegated vide S.O 15 of 2020 dated: 09-01-2020 and with the approval of SBD of the rates from the UT level Committee headed by the Development Commissioner Works, the senior-most Engineer in the UT, with the consent of District Jal Jeevan Missions (DJJMs) headed by respective District Development Commissioners. No contract has been awarded without e-tendering,” he said.
He noted that as of August 31st this year, Rs 3,088 crore have been used since the start of the Mission, out of which Rs. 2,600.00 crore have been spent during the last 12 months.
Kabra said that PHE used to allot all works departmentally, which was against the law laid down by the Constitution and the instructions. “During 2019, e-tendering was made mandatory. Initial attempts were made to allot these works on a composite tender basis, but due to limited capabilities in the UT, a revision was made in consultation with experts. The results are there to see in terms of progress.”
He said that this fact has been acknowledged in the letter dated 20th July 2022 when, he said, the person-Ashok Parmar, whom he did not name-was heading the department. “There is a sea change on the ground with regard to the execution of works, and all the processes are being conducted in a transparent manner. Since 2019, not a single allotment of works has been done without tendering.”
Kabra said that all the advisories received from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K have been circulated to the field office, including Deputy Commissioners, for strict adherence and for corrective actions if needed.
“None of the advisories pointed out any malpractices or allotment of tenders without following due process; there is no advisory from ACB regarding any kind of allotment issues. The recommendations from the ACB are that the works may be properly monitored; there is nothing specific.”
He went on to state that during the ‘Bhrashtachar Mukt’ Week in which the Jal Shakti Department also participated, the department published an advertisement, asking people to report the issues. “I am happy to tell you that not a single response has come regarding complaints about the allotments done in a manner that is not transparent; there are complaints about slower execution or the water not being provided, but these issues will be addressed.”
He further informed that as of the current date, about 97% of the critical work components have been awarded, all of them through a transparent e-tendering system involving about 1700 contractors, which is in contrast to 14% in June 2022.
Similarly, it was reported that the start of works has also increased from 6% in June 2021 to 73% as of the current date, thereby indicating that the implementation of the mission is in full swing all across the UT.
“There is absolutely no complaint regarding any of the allotments. As the infrastructure is being built to meet the requirements for the next 30 years and a huge quantum of work is involved, including laying a vast pipe distribution network, the requirement for pipe material is equally large, for which timely availability was ensured to avoid delays in the implementation of the mission without compromising on the fairness, accountability, and transparency of the procurement process.”
He also clarified that all types of pipes (GI, DI & HDPE) are being procured through transparent and competitive e-tendering and as per the provisions of GFR/manual for procurement of Goods 2017.
Kabra said that in the case of GI pipes, the purchases have been made under the existing rate contract within the provision of the Manual for Procurement of Goods 2017 “after higher rates were quoted by the bidders in the fresh tender issued.”
He said that, in this regard, and to save time required for the fresh tendering process, “the existing rate contract has been operated by the CE PHE Kashmir on the approval of the UT level Purchase Committee and after the decision of the 6th Apex Committee Meeting within the provisions of the Manual for Procurement of Goods. It is estimated to have saved about Rs. 72 crores besides ensuring the timely availability of GI pipes.”
During the current financial year, Kabra said, the UT has spent Rs. 1,447.06 crore and has been able to lift two tranches of funds amounting to Rs. 1,433.56 crores from the Government of India.
All the schemes, he said, shall be completed within the mission period, while noting that the due diligence has improved the execution of schemes under JKIDFC funding, and a much smaller quantum is likely to be shifted from that estimated in June 2022-459 schemes costing about Rs. 783.72 crores.
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