Khadapkar wants to endorse purchase of vehicles sans tender
Calls for meet; some councillors allege violation of Municipality Act
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, JUNE 22
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Shekhar Khadapkar called an emergency meeting on Monday to endorse the purchase of three vehicles without issuing a tender.
According to sources, the chairperson has refused to accept the illegality even though the chief officer admitted that no tendering has been done.
Former MMC chairman Saifullah Khan alleged that public procurement procedures were not followed while placing an order for three vehicles – garbage compactor with metallic dust bins, water tanker and garbage van.
However, the Goa Municipal Act and General Financial Rule 2005 followed by the State administration is clear on procurement of goods, if the council wants to purchase anything above Rs 2 lakh, then it has to be follow a tender process.
The MMC despite making a budgetary provision for the purchase of three vehicles and that too a budget, which was passed on March 31, 2010, the council did not have time to tender it and hurriedly tried to push for a direct purchase by taking a resolution and placing order with the company, as vehicles are ready for delivery.
MMC Chairperson Shekhar Khadapkar called the emergency meeting on Monday, after the chief officer recommended that the purchase of three vehicles is to be ratified by the council.
Interestingly, most of the councilors agreed that the procedure followed by the council should be continued since it is already delayed in getting the much-needed vehicles and decided to go ahead with the purchase of vehicles.
Reacting strongly, former MMC chairperson Saifullah Khan and Councilor Krishna Salkar raised serious questions about the manner in which the purchase was made without following norms.
Khan threatened to report the matter to the vigilance department and alleged that he smelt rat in the entire procedure.
“It appears that those fellow councilors are unaware about the issue, thus they have supported it,” said Khan.
“I am not against purchase of vehicles, which are needed urgently for the council, but that doesn’t mean that the council should bypass norms and purchase the vehicles, which would create complication if any one approaches the court,” said Khan.
Interestingly, Carlos Almedia informed that the councilors in the all successive councils had followed the same procedure for purchase of vehicles.
He ruled out any irregularities by saying that Pernem Municipal Council has floated tender for purchase of similar vehicles for the same amount. “Whatever the MMC has quoted, it’s on the purchase order.”
He further said since the Tata Motor dealer in Margao is the only dealer in the State, they have to depend on it to ensure that during maintenance, the vehicles get spare parts from the dealer and even the State government procures most of its vehicles from the same dealer.
