The Times of India                03.06.2013

Jaipur civic body to invite tenders for streetlights

JAIPUR: After facing the wrath of city mayor JyotiKhandelwal, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) administration is likely to invite long-pending tenders for repairing and maintaining the streetlights this week.

Showing her disappointment with the administration, the mayor on Friday issued a note-sheet alleging mal-intentions of the officials for not inviting tenders, after which the administration came into action. A senior official at JMC said, "The notice inviting tender (NIT) has been prepared. It is expected to be issued on Monday."

As the maintenance and operation contract for the streetlights expired on May 31, around 1.5 lakh street lights in JMC's 77 wards were unattended.

Official sources in the department claimed, "The tender process needs to be started at least six months in advance, but concerned officials and contractors have delayed the process."

Sources added that the JMC has extended the maintenance and repair contract for one month. Earlier, the corporation had planned to extend the contract for another three months. The contractors, however, have demanded an extension of at least six months.

"During monsoon, cases of faults developing in the lighting system are maximum. If JMC wants to ensure that the contractors don't lose out on a minimum profit, the contract must be extended for a minimum period of six months," a contractor said.

Senior officials said, "Officials who have intentionally delayed the process will have to face the music. They have to substantiate their arguments on why the delay was caused or they may have to faces charges of corruption of earning commission from the contractor."

Inviting tenders for the streetlights on the city roads has been mired in controversy in the past too. Last year, mayor Jyoti Khandelwal had alleged that JMC CEO Loknath Soni and the light committee were planning to issue tender on a higher rate due to "personal interests". The state government though had approved the tender rates.