Contracts extended with 84% rate increase: RTI activist

It has been revealed through the Right to Information (RTI) that the two companies which allegedly colluded with MC officials and caused a loss of over Rs 15 crore to the government, have been given an extension in cleaning contracts by increasing the rates by 84%. The MC had allotted the sanitation tenders to the companies after dividing the city into four zones on May 13, 2022, and the contracts ended on May 12 last year. It was revealed in an RTI sought by PP Kapoor of Samalkha, who demanded a high-level CBI inquiry into the matter. The company owners and 12 MC officials were booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau following the inquiry report of the CM flying squad for causing losses to the exchequer. However, no accused has been arrested so far and no officials have been suspended after the registration of the case on May 2. The government has also not cancelled the sanitation contracts, Kapoor stated. On the basis of the RTI reply, he said the Panipat MC had allotted sanitation tenders worth Rs 3.55 crore per month to IND Sanitation Solution Private Limited for zone 1 (ward 1- to 7) worth Rs 88.70 lakh per month and zone 2 (ward 8-14) worth Rs 94.90 lakh per month; and Puja Consultation for zone 3 (ward 15-20) worth Rs 84.36 lakh per month and zone 4 (ward 21-26) worth Rs 82.36 lakh per month on May 13, 2022. As per the tender document, the contracts ended on May 12, 2024, and the MC had to call a fresh tender. But the MC did not invite any fresh tenders and the same tenders were extended to June 30 last year. At a meeting of the sub-committee of the Cabinet on June 25, under the chairmanship of CM Nayab Singh Saini, the contract was enhanced up to July 31, and later was extended until December 31, Kapoor alleged. After a meeting of the sub-committee in January 2025, the contracts of both companies were enhanced for a year — from January 1 to December 31, 2025 — with the increase in rates of 84 %. Kapoor said earlier the tenders were worth Rs 84.08 crore, and after the enhancement, it was Rs 154.72 crore.

Haryana Tribune