Bicycles procured under GeM, followed transparent process: Sood
Rejecting the Aam Aadmi Party’s allegation of irregularities, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday said that bicycles were procured under the Vidya Vahini scheme through the Government e-marketplace (GeM) following a transparent bidding process.
Addressing a press conference, Sood said, “AAP is completely flustered and trembling with panic after seeing the joyful faces of over 3,000 young girls receiving brand-new bicycles. They are not just scammers; they are daily fabricators of fake percentages. One day they claim 90 crore, then 75 per cent, then 70 per cent, and then 43 per cent. Their changing figures expose their political desperation.”
“The inconsistency in the Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations is evident in how their alleged figures for the bicycle procurement kept changing day-by-day: starting at 70 per cent commission on August 3, shifting to 40 per cent commission (a Rs 36 crore loss out of a Rs 90 crore overall scam) on August 6, adjusting to 43 per cent and 66 per cent commission on August 7, and ultimately claiming a 75 per cent Figure on August 8,” Sood stated.
Sood said that more than 3,000 girl students had received bicycles in the first phase of the scheme and dismissed questions being raised over the procurement process. “Our bicycles are bought from GeM. GeM has been a transparent portal for 10 years,” Sood said. He said bids floated on the portal were subject to prescribed parameters and that a bid could not proceed if it contained a restrictive clause or if a complaint against it remained unresolved.
Sood also sought to explain the procurement process by comparing it with the purchase of consumer products, saying the government was required to follow the prescribed tender process rather than approach a particular manufacturer or vendor.
His remarks came amid criticism from the opposition over the quality and price of bicycles being distributed to students under the scheme.
Alleging irregularities in the Delhi government’s bicycle distribution scheme for Class 9 girl students, the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday said it would approach the Anti-Corruption Branch or the Central Bureau of Investigation if Chief Minister Rekha Gupta does not take action on the matter.
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that bicycles being distributed under the ‘Vidya Vahini’ scheme were of inferior quality compared to those mentioned in the tender.
Sood also attacked AAP for criticising the BJP Government’s welfare measures, including the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, under which eligible women are being provided Rs 2,500 per month.
He also referred to discussions on the Delhi Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Services Bill, amendments related to slum clusters and the Delhi Fire Service Amendment Bill, saying these measures were aimed at improving governance and public services.
On the bicycle scheme, Sood said the government was happy to see thousands of girls receive the bicycles and rejected the opposition’s criticism of the initiative.
