Shimla | March 17, 2025
The Jal Shakti Department has adopted a strict stance on tender irregularities following Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s directives. The CM recently emphasized the need for transparency in tenders during a department meeting. A case from Theog has raised serious concerns, leading to an ongoing vigilance investigation, with several officials under scrutiny.
To enforce transparency, the department head has issued clear orders to engineers, warning that any irregularities will result in immediate action. E.N.C. Anju Sharma has sent a special circular to all Chief Engineers, instructing strict adherence to tender regulations. The move follows complaints from contractors about violations in the tendering process, which have even reached the state government.
Revised Tendering Rules
- Offline tenders for projects up to ₹1 lakh.
- Manual & e-tendering options for projects under ₹5 lakh.
- Applies to new pipeline installations, tank construction, machinery purchases, and other major works.
Given the high budget allocations for Public Works and Jal Shakti Departments, officials are now under strict surveillance. The department has formulated an internal strategy to monitor and prevent future irregularities, ensuring greater accountability in all tendering processes.
