Relaxation of tender guidelines for tubewell chlorination triggers row in Patiala

The postponing of the deadline and relaxation of tendering conditions for tubewell chlorination has invited sharp criticism from the Opposition parties, who alleged that the guidelines have been relaxed by the Aam Aadmi Party-led civic body to favour their close aides in availing the contract.

Notably, there are a total of 178 tubewells supplying water across the city.

The civic body had called for the tender for chlorination. However, the tender dates were postponed till May 12 at the last minute. Soon the conditions for chlorination project were also relaxed.

As per the previous guidelines, those applying for chlorination project must have the experience of chlorinating 150 tubewells — approximately 80%. But in the revised guidelines, the clause has been scrapped. In the revised rules, those with experience of chlorinating even 50 tubewells have been allowed to apply.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and councillor Anuj Khosla has raised objection to the revised conditions, accusing the civic body and mayor Kundan Gogia of relaxing the guidelines in order to favour their close associates.

Gogia, meanwhile, dismissed the allegations as “baseless”, saying the entire exercise was transparent and without any political bias. The extension and relaxation in rules, he said, is to ensure that there is no monopoly of certain entities in the chlorination process. The chlorination work will be conducted under the observation of experts from the civic body.

Addressing the issue, Municipal Commissioner Paramveer Singh said the date was extended so that more and more people could apply.

The work allotted for the chlorination of 178 tubewells had ended on January 31. However, the company was asked to continue the work of chlorination and the dues are still pending.

In a letter to the Municipal Corporation, residents have stated that since the chlorination work is related to human health it should be dealt with by an experienced person.

Water contamination and water related issues plague the region each year. In July last year, as many as 195 water samples were collected from affected areas, of which reports for 105 were received: 80 samples passed and 25 failed during a surprize ins

During checking 178 tubewells, 26 tubewells were found with low chlorination. The primary cause of diarrhea cases turned out to be unauthorised water connections and the use of pumps by people.

Patiala