E-Paper
I&FC dept shifts to online earnest money submission to enhance transparency
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department in New Delhi has made the Earnest Money Deposit submission fully online to enhance transparency and fairness in bidding.
New Delhi: Taking a step forward in accountability and transparency, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has made the submission of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) completely online in the tendering process, an official said on Friday.
Earlier, bidders were required to physically deposit EMD at the office of the division of the concerned project. This system often led to unnecessary interfaces, potential information leaks, and concerns regarding fairness in the bidding process, the official said.
“Now, EMD will only be accepted through online mode. The original EMD will be required to be submitted only by the L1 bidder (the one who quotes the lowest price) within a stipulated timeframe after the opening of bids,” said the official.
This move ensures that no official or external entity can track who is bidding for which project during the process and eliminates scope for bias, pressure, or manipulation.
Parvesh Verma, the minister for Irrigation and Flood Control, said the reform is about building trust in the system. “By moving EMD completely online, we are eliminating unnecessary human interface and ensuring that the bidding process remains fair, transparent, and free from any undue influence. Honest contractors should get a fair opportunity, and public money should be utilised with full accountability,” he said.
The L1 bidder must submit the original EMD within three days of bid opening, failing which they will face debarment from participating in the tendering process for two years, the official added.
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