Somaiya seeks probe in Rs-159 cr school benches tender

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya today demanded the Maharashtra government to stop the tendering process for purchase of 3.80 lakh benches fro schools, and order a probe into changes in the tender conditions.
Addressing a press conference here he said that earlier tender conditions such as the bench should be made from eco-friendly polymer were changed. Now the tender only seeks polymer benches.
Initially the benches were supposed to cost Rs 89.50 crores, but the cost shot up to Rs 159 crore on account of changes in the tender conditions, resulting in additional burden of Rs 80 crore on the exchequer, Somaiya said.

The benches are being purchased under the Centre's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Somaiya also questioned the rationale behind the tender condition that that bidder must have at least 14 molding machines.
Of the nine bidders who had applied for the tender, only two are now in the fray, he said.
He had submitted complaints to the CAG and Union Human Resource Development Ministry on the issue, he said.