Tenders issued by BMO office Kupwara for stationery, computer equipments ‘rigged’

Kashmir Age Report

Srinagar, Sep 8: The manager of a private company has alleged that the tenders issued by Block Medical Office (BMO) Kupwara in north Kashmir a few days ago for stationery and other computer related equipment were rigged.

The manager of a private company said that the office not only refused to accept the tender but also treated him “rudely”. “This suggests that the acquisition of the said equipment is being rigged and that it is being used for the benefit of the people it seeks,” he said.

Talking to Kashmir Press Service Abdul Rashid, Manager, Lightway Trading Company, said that Block Medical Office, Kupwara had a few days ago published a tender notice in local newspapers under BMOK / NHM / 175-176 for procurement of stationery and other computer related equipment.

He said that there was a gap of 22 days in receiving the tender. The BMO office he added surprisingly issued another notice after which there was a gap of only seven days in receiving the tender.

Abdul Rashid said that Tuesday, September 8 was the last date for submission of tenders at 2 pm and he went to BMO office Kupwara before 2 pm to submit tenders.

He said that no tender box was kept in the BMO office and when he inquired about this from BMO Kupwara and a clerk named Muhammad Amin posted in his office he was asked to stand outside the office.

Rasheed said that when he complained that the time to submit tenders was running out, BMO and his clerk pushed him out of the office and refused to accept his tender.

He added that he was concerned that the officer was waiting for the benefit of a person of his choice as the same dealer had been supplying all the medicines and other equipment in this office for the last four years.

Abdul Rasheed has now lodged a complaint with the police regarding the matter and requested them to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, sources told KPS that there is a nexus between a few dealers and the officials in BMO Kupwara’s office and if any other company or dealer submits tender documents, the tender will be canceled. “If no other company or dealer has submitted the tender, then the tenders are given to them and the officials of the said office receive large sums of money from the dealers.”

The CMO Office Kupwara, BMO Office Kralpora also received complaints of such irregularities and scams and media reports were published in this regard but the investigation of these cases is not underway yet.