JOIN USUP minister attempts to grab tender
Tradition, it is said, takes ages to die. Samajwadi Party ministers, it appear, have decided to follow the traditions of their predecessors — BSP ministers and not let go any opportunity to make money.
UP minister for horticulture Raj Kishore Singh allegedly tried to grab Rs 50 crore PWD tender in Basti district with the help of some employees of the department.
However, the irregularity was detected in time and the tender process was scrapped at the last moment.
According to sources, the minister’s ‘goons’ adopted a novel way to grab the tender. They tried to make sure the tender forms were not available to the competitors by allegedly taking help of the cashier at PWD office in Basti.
Cashier goes missing
Dukharan, cashier went missing on the day he was supposed to sell the tender forms to the contractors.
Hundreds of contractors tried every means to obtain the forms but they were not available.
In the meantime, the last date for submitting the documents lapsed.
The goons, however, managed to submit scores of tender forms for the projects worth Rs 50 crore to be undertaken in the district.
The other contractors raised a hue and cry leading to an inquiry into the matter.
Tender scrapped
Sources said the tender process was scrapped after the allegations were found to be correct though the officials refused to say on record if the minister did try to grab the tenders through illegal means.
PWD minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said an inquiry would be conducted and guilty would not be spared.
Over a dozen ministers in the erstwhile Mayawati regime had been indicted by the Lokayukta for grabbing public lands and tenders of various projects and indulging in other corrupt and criminal activities.