Metrowater cancels tenders following allegations of graft

Fresh ones will be floated for all projects, says official

Chennai Metrowater has cancelled the tenders floated in February for the operation and maintenance of sewage pumping stations following allegations of corruption by Arappor Iyakkam, an NGO.

According to Arappor Iyakkam, the water agency had cancelled the tenders worth ₹50 crore. The NGO had alleged that Minister for Municipal Administration S.P.Velumani was involved in prefixing of tenders that were closed on February 27 and 28 this year. Bidders were required to meet a person in a hotel and were not allowed to deposit tender documents in the Metrowater head office then, said Jayaram Venkatesan, Arappor Iyakkam’s convenor.

‘Will take time’

However, senior officials of the Metrowater said that 74 tenders for outsourcing operation and maintenance of sewage pumping stations were cancelled. “It is to end allegations,” said a senior official who denied corruption charges. “Fresh tenders will be called for the projects. But, it will take time,” the official added.

In a press release, the NGO has also called for an inquiry to be initiated against the Minister and officers involved and departmental action to be taken for dereliction of duty. The water agency must also introduce e-tender system to ensure transparency in the bidding process without any manual interface, the NGO demanded.

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