Lapses in Haryana’s e-tenders spark probe by urban local bodies

The audit flagged irregularities in sanitation and waste contracts affecting eight contractors, four tenders, officials said

Published on: Jun 4, 2025, 07:14:49 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The department of Urban Local Bodies (ULB), Haryana, has launched a wide-ranging inquiry into procedural lapses in the state’s e-Tenders Haryana procurement system, following a scathing audit by the principal accountant general (audit), Haryana. The audit flagged significant irregularities in sanitation and solid waste management contracts awarded between 2018-19 and 2022-23, officials said, adding that eight contractors and four tenders have been affected.

Beyond these specific issues, the audit cited systemic non-compliance with mandatory timelines and disclosure norms. (Shutterstock)

In a memo dated June 3, the ULB directed all municipal commissioners and district municipal commissioners to submit detailed clarifications and corrective actions taken on the flagged discrepancies. The deadline for submission is one week.

“A consolidated and comprehensive response is essential to address the audit observations made by the Principal Accountant General. Any procedural lapses that compromise transparency and fairness in public procurement will be dealt with firmly,” said a senior ULB official, requesting anonymity.

According to the audit report, three major areas of concern have emerged. First, several tenders were cancelled despite valid and competitive lowest (L-1) bids. These include Tender IDs 2022_HRY_231151_1 and 2022_HRY_231157_1 (related to Manesar Division I and II) and 2022_HRY_218507_1 (pertaining to the Integrated Solid Waste Management project for the Panchkula Cluster). Additionally, tenders for dumpsite remediation in Sector 23, Panchkula—IDs 2022_HRY_251382_1 and 2022_HRY_231622_3—were also cancelled without documented justification.

Second, the report noted that certain tenders allowed insufficient time for bid submission, potentially restricting fair competition. This was observed in tenders related to mini tippers with hoppers, among others.

Third, the audit pointed to inadequate time provided for bidder representation during technical evaluation stages—critical for fair assessment of eligibility and capacity. This was flagged in tenders related to door-to-door waste collection in Division-II, Manesar, and again in the Panchkula remediation tenders.

Beyond these specific issues, the audit cited systemic non-compliance with mandatory timelines and disclosure norms. Key project details and evaluation outcomes were either delayed or not uploaded on the public procurement portal, undermining transparency.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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