Summary:
Contractors undertaking works for the LIT on regular basis complain that tenders were rarely opened on the stipulated date or processed as per the laid down schedule. Even after the tendering process has been made online, as per the policy of the government, there was nothing like transparency in the process once the online bids were received, contractors have alleged. “After the opening of the bids, evaluation of tenders, more often than not, takes months together. Tenders submitted without required documents or not conforming to terms and conditions of the NIT (notice inviting tenders) are entertained and bidders given time to submit missing documents, which is against the laid down norms,” said a contractor in the know of things. LIT officials, however, took the stand that efforts were made to stick to the schedule for opening bids on time and completing the process of allotment work as per procedure, but sometimes delay occurred due to unforeseen circumstances..