Mumbai: The BMC election department has sought post facto approval from the standing committee for bypassing the prescribed tendering process for a series of works related to elections. The department cited critical nature of the works and shortage of time.
Tender Waivers for BMC Election Preparations
On Wednesday, the standing committee reviewed four proposals totaling approximately Rs 11 crore, seeking exemptions from tendering norms under Section 72(3) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. These proposals cover essential services for the BMC election process, including the transportation of election equipment, repairs to an electronic voting machine (EVM) warehouse, and provision of manpower and food during EVM inspections.
Due to the urgency of completing inspections between December 15 and 29, two registered civic contractors, Shri Sai Caterers and Riddhi Siddhi Caterers, were appointed without competitive tenders. This expedited approach was necessary for preparations leading up to the BMC elections held on January 15.
Additionally, the election department sought approval for Rs 5 lakh spent on urgent civil and electrical repairs at the EVM warehouse located at Sanskriti Sankul in Kandivli (East). The BMC selected Nitin Enterprises for this work through the R-Central ward, citing the need for swift action that would have been hindered by the e-tendering process.
In a separate instance, Rs 1.74 lakh was allocated for transporting printing auxiliary display units (PADU) from BEL in Bengaluru. MS International Travels was chosen for this task without competitive quotes, as the agency previously handled the transportation of EVM ballot and control units for the 2025 general election, demonstrating relevant experience with the equipment.
The biggest proposal involved Rs 10.8 crore spent on appointing data entry operators for the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the city and suburbs. The administration has justified the move saying there was insufficient time to complete the tendering process and that the operators were appointed at rates approved for the 2024 assembly election through the city collector’s office. Another proposal involved Rs 8.83 lakh for food, tea and snacks for engineers of the Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) as well as BMC officers and employees involved in the first-level inspection of 20,000 control units and 25,000 ballot units at the Vikhroli and Kandivli warehouses.
The SIR is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to verify and update electoral rolls.