A major scandal has erupted in Ahmedabad’s Garden Department of the Municipal Corporation. Allegations suggest that officials have manipulated tender processes to favour certain contractors. This controversy comes into focus as officials are accused of misusing the tender amount for planting trees. The tender, worth ₹3 crore, is believed to involve work amounting to ₹69 crore.
Devendra Shah reports that corruption is not new in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Engineers and estate departments often face accusations of wrongdoing. However, the Garden Department seems to be under a more severe spotlight now.
The controversy began with a tender for planting trees, part of a large campaign aiming to plant 4 million trees. The tender, worth ₹3 crore 7 lakh, was issued in March. The department sought proposals for planting 1 lakh trees over an area of 7,000 square meters. The conditions included a requirement for contractors to show a 200% annual turnover and relevant experience from the past three years.
After the tender was announced, a panel of four contractors was prepared. Yet, shocking details emerged that the actual work proposed was worth ₹69 crore. This work is expected to be shared among four companies. Despite efforts by senior officials to cover up the alleged fraud, the tender conditions have raised eyebrows about the legitimacy of the process.
Under the tender requirements, contractors must have a turnover of at least ₹34 crore if work worth ₹69 crore is to be distributed among them. This condition has raised suspicions about the qualifications of the selected contractors.
Moreover, there are concerns regarding changes to bid documents and requirements. According to guidelines, only a 20% adjustment is permissible after a tender is released. However, it seems that the Garden Department has made numerous changes to benefit certain contractors, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the tendering process.
The scandal has led to discussions within the community about the need for accountability in public contracts. Citizens are calling for an investigation into the matter to ensure that public resources are not squandered due to corruption.
In conclusion, the situation in the Garden Department highlights serious issues regarding governance and transparency in Ahmedabad’s Municipal Corporation. Authorities must act to restore public trust by ensuring fair practices and holding wrongdoers accountable. This incident serves as a reminder of the continual need for vigilance against corruption in public sector projects.
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