Chandigarh Civic body House extends firm’s sanitation contract

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29

In what will provide Lion Services Ltd nearly Rs 15 crore in four months, the Municipal Corporation House today extended its sanitation contract for southern sectors till March 31 while ordering a high-level inquiry into “deliberate delay in inviting a fresh tender”.

To continue till March 31

The present contract of manual sweeping for Sector 31-63 ends on November 30, while the mechanical sweeping contract expires on February 14, 2022. It will now continue till March 31 next year. It was granted to Lion Services Ltd in 2016.

The House resolved to request the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator to hold an inquiry into the matter. The officers concerned will have to pay, if found guilty. On May 31, the House had decided not to renew the contract of the firm and instead vowed to invite a fresh tender.

However, even after about five months, the officers concerned failed to invite a fresh tender, leaving the MC with no option but to extend the existing contract of the firm today. The officials reasoned that the tendering process would take three months. Thus, in view of the model code of conduct, expected to be enforced in early November, it will not be possible to complete the process.

Senior Deputy Mayor and BJP councillor Maheshinder Singh Sidhu sought to know from the MC’s Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr Amrit Pal Warring, “why the already rejected tender is being approved to give an extension to the firm. Please cite the reason why the tendering process could not be completed till now?”

The MOH did not seem to have a proper answer to this. He replied, “It was done with orders of superiors at that time.” BJP councillor Arun Sood then asked to bring the file to see the notings of those officers. “No noting of officers other than the MOH is there,” said Sood after reading the file in the House while seeking an explanation.

Dr Warring had sought road details of all sectors from the Building and Roads Division, while the tender was only for sanitation work in southern Sectors. He claimed that he was asked by Sidhu to invite a tender for all sectors.

He was reminded that the House had not approved it and despite a report of all sectors, nothing was done in the remaining three months.

BJP councillor Shakti Prakash Devshali alleged, “It was a game plan of officers to intentionally delay it. When we talk of zero tolerance to corruption, why are officers opening the doors for it? What was the mala fide intention behind not respecting the sentiments of 35 councillors. Who are the mischievous officers to favour the company?

Leader of the Opposition Devinder Singh Babla said, “We are paying nearly Rs5 crore per month to the firm, which has been in question since the start. Even MP Kirron Kher had questioned the huge amount being paid to it.” The present contract of manual sweeping for Sector 31-63 ends on November 30, while the mechanical sweeping contract expires on February 14, 2022. It will now continue till March 31 next year. It was granted to Lion Services Ltd in 2016.

Meanwhile, the MOH was seen crying later during lunch time. He was pacified by two-three councillors and even MC Commissioner Anindita Mitra walked up to him to console him.