MSPDCL awards contract worth 15 crore sans technical test
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 01 2015:
Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) has allegedly awarded a contract work worth Rs.15 crore for installing street lamps in Imphal area to a company without conducting the mandatory technical test.
According to a reliable source, the MSPDCL recently floated an e-tender for installation of 1600 street lamps at a cost of around Rs.15 crore within 43 kilometres of Imphal including the road in front of the Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister's Secretariat.
Three companies, namely Phillips, Bajaj and GE Kolkata submitted their proposals as per the e-tender issued by MSPDCL.
Two of the companies enclosed details about the technical tests done on the bulbs to be used, while the other company did not submit such technical details.
If necessary, the tender committee should collect sample bulbs from all three companies and send to a recognized testing centre in Kolkata or Delhi for the mandatory technical tests.
However, the contract worth Rs.15 crore was straightway awarded to GE Company, which did not furnish the details of technical test, the source disclosed.
It also mentioned that the LED bulbs to be installed should have illumination of at least 30 lux, otherwise the streets lamps will not be of much help.
The e-tender process of street lamp installation is now in the shambles and many people are questioning the conduct of the State Government officials who have awarded the contract to a company without looking into the technical details.
It may be mentioned that the existing street lamps in Imphal area were installed about one year ago at a cost of around Rs.two crore.
But, the lamps fail to provide the required illumination and they are thus rendered useless.