Last Updated on March 19, 2021 at 5:11 pm
There are allegations that Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) has changed rules to benefit L2 bidder for the supply of the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Kits in an alleged multi-crore scam.
The Typewriter claimed that the Corporation made changes in the process once bids were opened which is not allowed under the law. Reports said that it was not allowed to alter the rules of the game when L1 bidder was already declared. Sources have alleged that responsible authorities have made changes in the rules to benefit blue-eyed L2 bidder and it is a clear case of ‘un-accountability and nepotism’.
Documents state that JKMSCL had disobeyed rules of tender for Rapid Antigen Test Kit for COVID-19, through an order dated 3 November 2020 and the M/s Trivitron Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. was the lowest bidder (L1) with a bid of Rs 116.48 per kit.
Even after the bidding was closed, the JKMSCL wrote an email to the L1 bidder. The organization asked him to reduce quoted rates and mentioned low rates quoted by L2 Bidder, that too just 15 minutes before the opening of the bids.
The L1 bidder, M/s Trivitron Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Registered their strong objection for violation of rules of tender. L1 bidder wrote a reply stating that they strongly object to the email from JKMSCL, in which it was mentioned to match the price of L2 bidder. This email was sent even though M/s Trivitron Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. has been declared L1 bidder in the tender process.
L1 bidder’s reply adds that according to the rules of tender, JKMSCL should call them for any reduction in price if possible and after their confirmation, they can call L2 for matching L1 price. They have done exactly opposite of what they were supposed to do, as they have asked L1 to match the price of L2 bidder.
Sources in the corporation told that as soon as any tender is closed, then tendering authority don’t have any right to accept any other offer, but in this case, the JKMSCL has defied these rules and accepted other rates even after the bids were closed.
