Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken serious notice of the scam in the tender process of leasing the much-known 1310 trains of the State Transport Corporation (ST) and finally canceled the tender process itself, giving a big shock to the corporation. Similarly, the corporation has also been ordered to implement the tender process in a transparent manner for taking cars on lease, as per the report by Loksatta. Through this decision, Fadnavis is believed to have given a big blow to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The corporation had committed major irregularities while carrying out the tender process for taking 1310 cars on lease. For this, some retired officers were given extension of time and the officers who opposed this decision were given the punishment of transfer. In the meeting of the board of directors of the corporation, it was initially decided to take 1310 cars on lease by conducting a department wise tender process for 21 departments. This proposal was approved by the then Chief Minister and Transport Minister Eknath Shinde in February 2024. But then this proposal was changed in the face of assembly elections.
Instead of department wise, tenders were issued for three clusters namely Mumbai, Pune-Nashik and Amravati-Nagpur. Similarly, the terms and conditions of the tender were also changed from time to time in such a way as to benefit certain contractors. It was claimed that while making these changes, trains are required for all 21 departments and at least three bidders will be required for each department. But some officers of the corporation opposed the proposal of group tender and took the stand to present this proposal again before the board of directors. Then the concerned officers were transferred elsewhere and it was revealed that the tender process was carried out by appointing the officers of their choice.
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Again increase in fixed rate
M. Anthony Road Transport Solution Pvt Ltd, May CT Lifeline Travels Pvt Ltd and M. Travel Time Pvt Ltd were the lowest bidders and were awarded contracts in groups of three, one each, with the intention to supply the trains. Interestingly, these tenders were opened after the Code of Conduct for Assembly Elections came into force while conducting this tender process and the relevant officials signed without putting a date. Similarly, it has been revealed from the inquiry report of the Upper Chief Secretary of Transport Department Sanjay Sethi that the rate fixed in the tender process was again increased while giving the letter of intent to the contractors.
A warning to Shinde?
Taking serious note of the inquiry report, Fadnavis has decided to cancel the entire tender process. Also, orders have been given to the corporation to implement a new process. It is being said that the Chief Minister gave a big blow to the Shinde group by taking this decision before going to Davos. Similarly, the demand to take strict action against the officials responsible for this scam is now getting stronger and what role the Chief Minister takes in this regard is getting attention.
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