Madhya Pradesh High Court has cancelled the entire tender process on Friday, meant for lighting up the whole Simhastha, and ordered to reconsider the contract as corruption has come into light.
It was a contract of Rs18.89 crore and the matter will be investigated by EOW (Economic Offences Wing) as directed by the MP High Court. This is the first of its kind that came to light during the preparations for Simhastha 2016.
Ujjain Municipal Corporation on 28 May, 2015, had floated tender of Rs23.89 crore for lighting of the Simhastha area. According to this tender around 7,000 lEDs and 16 High masts are to be installed in this area. After the floating of the tender, a contract worth Rs18.89 crore was given to a Delhi based company called HPl limited. On December 2, 2015, a work order was issued to the chosen company. It is then the second lowest bidder, HEC Infra, came up with the allegation that they have committed irregularities in giving away the contract to HPl limited and filed a case in the High Court.
After listening to all the sides Justice PK Jaiswal and JK Jain of division bench, High court, cancelled the contract regarding the lighting of the Simhastha. The High Court has ordered to float tenders anew and decide the contractors afresh and the case is to be investigated by Economic Offences Investigation Bureau.
Opposition can take this opportunity to create and issue.
Since its beginning this is the first corruption issue raked up during the preparations of Simhastha and it has affected the image of the State Government. The Opposition party Congress has raised questions on quality and alleged corruption at Corporation Council. As the corruption has come to light before the start of the Simhastha, the Opposition is considering it as a golden opportunity to create an issue.
Ujjain Municipal Corporation also floated tender for Malwa Trading Festival Market. The tender was give to a Gujarat-based company named Mangal Developers. On this Netink Technologies limited Bhopal registered protest as in tender the requirement was for as per hector. After the protest was registered the Corporation decided to cancel the previous tender and float a new one. According to the sources the tenders will be out soon.