Kailashahar: Days after MLA Birajit Sinha publicly raised allegations of irregularities in a procurement process involving the Forest Department in Kailashahar, officials have confirmed that the process has been cancelled.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO) Shubham Das said the entire procurement process had been scrapped. However, he denied claims that the cancellation was a direct result of the allegations made by the MLA during a press conference on June 6.
According to Das, the department had not floated any tender for works as alleged, but had invited supply orders for various materials. He stated that 12 contractors participated in the process, and upon scrutiny it was found that all submitted documents contained technical errors. As a result, the entire process was cancelled.
Earlier, MLA Birajit Sinha had alleged that procurement exceeding ₹5 lakh should be conducted through an online tendering or supply order system as per government norms. He claimed that the prescribed procedures were not followed and alleged irregularities in the procurement process.
Responding to these allegations, Das maintained that all procedures were carried out in accordance with regulations. He said notices were published through the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, displayed on government websites, carried in newspapers, and posted on the notice board of the Forest Department office in Kailashahar.
The cancellation of the process has, however, raised further questions among sections of the public. Some have questioned why, if the process had been cancelled solely for technical reasons, the cancellation notice was not made public earlier.
The matter has generated considerable discussion in the region, with calls from various quarters for higher authorities to examine the issue and ensure transparency in the procurement process.
No official inquiry has been announced so far, and the allegations remain unproven.