Bihar Cancels Rs 800 Crore Tenders Due to Irregularities
Minister Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu Announces Re-issuance
The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) of Bihar has cancelled tenders worth over Rs 800 crores that were issued during the Mahagathbandhan tenure. Numerous deficiencies were identified in these tenders. Minister of Public Health Engineering, Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, stated that all tenders will be re-issued soon, with the work expected to be completed within six months.
The decision followed an inquiry by the PHED, which revealed irregularities in the contractor selection process. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mrityunjay Tiwari criticized the Bihar National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for the cancellations, suggesting that politics should not hinder Bihar’s development.
Defending the decision, Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin explained that the respective minister and departmental secretary must have found the tenders were distributed wrongly. The PHED is responsible for installing hand pumps and mini water supply systems in small habitats and wards.
It is notable that Nitish Kumar severed ties with the RJD and returned to the NDA in January. Following this, an order was issued to review all decisions made by departments previously headed by former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and RJD ministers Lalit Yadav and Ramanand Yadav.
