Tenders in trouble: Nurpur MC faces flak over hasty, offline bids

The floating of six tenders for construction works worth over Rs 17 lakh by the Nurpur Municipal Council (MC) — without prior approval from the MC house — has stirred controversy and become the talk of the town. These works were expected to be tabled in an MC meeting, but the administration’s decision to hastily float and open the tenders has sparked backlash.

Taking strong exception to this, nine local contractors registered with the Nurpur MC submitted a memorandum to the Nurpur SDM and the newly appointed Executive Officer (EO), who assumed additional charge on Monday. They alleged that the MC had issued a tender notice on May 30 for five construction works, including the building of a culvert, retaining walls, roads and streets — mainly in Ward 7 and one street in Ward 9 — with a combined estimate of Rs 17.22 lakh.

The contractors criticised the publication of the notice in a vernacular newspaper with minimal circulation in the region — unlike the MC’s past practice of advertising in widely read newspapers to ensure fair competition. “This time, the tender was published in a paper barely read in this area and gave only a week for submission, with the opening date set for June 6,” they said.

What’s more, despite a state government notification mandating online tendering for construction works above Rs 1 lakh, the MC floated all six tenders offline — each estimated between Rs 2.54 lakh and Rs 2.98 lakh. Sources indicate that the MC lacks the required funds for these works, raising further questions about the rationale behind the rushed, offline process. The contractors have alleged an attempt by the MC administration to sideline many eligible bidders and favour a select few.

Nurpur MC president Ashok Sharma said he had no knowledge of these tenders. “These works were never proposed or approved in any MC meeting. No tender can be awarded or opened without prior approval and without my signature,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, local residents have demanded a vigilance probe or a high-level inquiry into the functioning of the MC over the past two-and-a-half years. RS Verma, Executive Officer (Kangra), who took additional charge of the Nurpur MC on Monday, confirmed that he has received a written complaint and has asked the office staff for a detailed report. He assured that necessary action will follow a proper inquiry.