Maha to make e-tendering mandatory for projects over Rs 3 lakh

Aiming to bring in transparency and curb irregularities in the state administration, the Maharashtra government has decided to make e-tendering compulsory for projects over Rs 3 lakh.
The state government started the e-tendering process in 2010 after receiving flak for corruption in the manual tendering process. In the beginning, e-tendering was applicable for schemes and projects of Rs 50 lakh and above. Later, in 2013, the amount was brought down to Rs 10 lakh.
According to a Government Resolution issued by the government yesterday, the new norm will be applicable to all departments of the state government, urban and rural local self-government bodies like gram panchayats and zilla parishads and corporations.

Divisional Commissionerate, District Collectorate, Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and corporations like MSEDCL, MSRDC, VIDC, MPCB etc will also adopt the new norm.
"While bidding for tenders over Rs 3 lakh, but under Rs 10 lakh, the bidder has the option of not using the e-tendering facility till April 1, 2015. After that, e-tendering will be compulsory. But for bids over Rs 10 lakhs, e-tendering has been made compulsory with immediate effect," the GR stated.
"At the level of talukas, where there are no nationalised banks (for earnest money deposit), e-tendering will be optional until April 1. Post that, e-tendering will be mandatory at such places as well," it added.