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PMC bid-rigging points to ‘systemic failure’: Saurabh Rao
“The bid rigging scam that has happened is a very serious systemic failure on the part of PMC. Currently, we have not received the copy of the final order given by CCI. As we receive the copy, immediate administrative action will be taken by PMC,” said Rao, the Pune municipal commissioner.
Saurabh Rao, Pune municipal commissioner, has termed the bid rigging scam exposed by Nagrik Chetna Manch and upheld by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) as ‘a very serious systemic failure’.
Rao, in an exclusive interview on Friday, assured to conduct an unbiased probe into the conduct of the civic officials involved in the scam.
“The bid rigging scam that has happened is a very serious systemic failure on the part of PMC. Currently, we have not received the copy of the final order given by CCI. As we receive the copy, immediate administrative action will be taken by PMC,” he said.
While the final order was issued on May 1, CCI in its November 2016 investigation report named Sanjay Atmaram Gawade, assistant municipal commissioner; Ravindra Krishnanath Mulay , branch engineer and Suresh Jagtap, joint municipal commissioner, head of solid waste management department as the officials whose claims and involvement needed to be examined by the civic administration.
CCI also imposed a hefty fine totaling Rs 3.75 crore on six PMC contractors who were found guilty of bid-rigging in tenders of Rs 14 crore pertaining to seven thermal composting plants at various locations, including Kharadi, Ghole Patil road and Peshwe park. The anti-trust regulator’s report said there was an understanding ‘among the participants’ to ensure that the tender went to Ecoman Enviro Solutions Pvt Limited.
“I will personally look into the matter. Such allegations on the department are very serious and I will take it to the last level of examining the alleged officials,” said Rao.
CCI mentioned frequent telephonic conversations between senior civic officials and a director of Ecoman Enviro Solutions Pvt Limited, the firm that won the bid. The report also highlighted that a PMC computer was used for uploading the tender documents, suggesting the bid rigging and ‘systemic failure’ in tendering process.
