Furore in SDMC House over toll tax collection

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation House today witnessed a furore as Opposition Congress alleged irregularities in the operation of toll tax collection, saying the BJP-led civic body was "trying to benefit a concessionaire".
Discussion over the issue disrupted proceeding of the House as Congress councillors led by Leader of Opposition Farhad Suri protested against "continuance of the existing concessionaire" without fresh tendering.
The contract for the previous concessionaire hired for toll collection ended about six months ago and fresh tendering is due.
The Tender Evaluation Committee had rejected the bid of the new company as it had "not quoted the bid amount".

The company in its argument had said that "the minimum reserve price fixed by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) was higher than the expected realisation".
Suri alleged that following this, the SDMC "extended" the contract of the old concessionaire.

"There was no provision to extend the contract which ended on May 16, but it was extended for six months which ended on November 15, and yet again corporation has extended the contract. Now that corporation has no bidder, they will float fresh tender, which means it will take another four months," Suri alleged.
Standing Committee Chairman Subhash Arya, meanwhile, said there will be no discussion with the bidder and a new tender will be floated.

"We have no option but to extend the contract of the current contractor else we will lose huge amount of money. Side by side, we will float fresh tenders and invite companies," Arya said.