Nagpur civic works split into small lots under poll code, offline tenders raise questions

The model code of conduct is in force in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) area, and a fresh debate has begun over development works. Some works are reportedly being declared "emergency" or urgent and moved ahead in small lots of lower value.

Offline tenders are also said to have been issued for these works. This has raised questions over compliance with rules, while there is also talk about the corporation's available budget and the state of spending until the end of the year.

During the code of conduct, the administration faces several procedural restrictions on regular development works. Sources said some works are being advanced by using the provision that gives priority to urgent works. If large or previously planned works are split up and carried out through separate proposals or tenders, scrutiny of the transparency of the whole process and of the need for it becomes important.

According to sources, there is talk of some works being carried out in parts on the plea of immediate need. This raises the question of whether these are truly emergency works, or whether previously planned works are being divided into separate parts to push ahead the approval and tender process.

However, the administrative approval, technical approval, estimated cost and tender conditions of each work will need to be examined separately. No process can be held to be against the rules merely on the basis of talk or allegations.

Meanwhile, there is also talk of discussions picking up behind the scenes over the budgets of various NMC departments. It is being said that a large part of the budget has already been spent under some heads. But the claim that "the NMC's budget has run out" cannot at present be stated as established fact without official figures.

To know the actual position, it is necessary to make public the NMC's revised budget, department-wise allocations, actual spending so far, administrative approvals, work orders issued and the money remaining. That would make clear how much was fixed under each head and how much of it has actually been spent.

The news of offline tenders being issued during the code of conduct, in an era of online tenders, has also drawn public attention. The questions are in what circumstances the offline method is being used, what the basis is for declaring these works urgent, and whether the permission of the competent authority has been taken for each work. If the works are truly emergencies, their need, timeline and administrative reason should be made clear.

Where a large work has been divided into smaller parts, it is also important to assess the need and cost of each part. According to experts, even though the code of conduct is in force for the election, this kind of process is being followed because of political pressure.