PWD tenders passed at 55–73% low rates trigger probe:Low bids prompt alarm, raise quality concerns; officials cite lack of any rate cap in Madhya Pradesh

The Public Works Department has intensified its scrutiny of civil maintenance works after complaints surfaced that several tenders for government quarters in the Residency area were being awarded at extraordinarily low rates, some 55–73 percent below departmental estimates. The probe is examining whether steep discounts reflect compromised work quality and whether officials bypassed required administrative procedures while approving tenders. Sharp tender discounts raise questions PWD records reveal that multiple maintenance contracts, especially for L3 and L4 quarters, were repeatedly awarded to Pragati Metal, AKM, and others at unusually low rates. In one instance, a tender estimated at Rs19 lakh was awarded for Rs5.4 lakh, prompting concerns over material quality, workmanship and whether the works could realistically be executed at such low cost. Officials said this pattern has persisted across several tender cycles, leading to the department’s decision to initiate a detailed examination. However, they added that there is no such cap on the tender rates in the state. Inspection ordered: Narmadapuram officer reviews L4 quarters Following the complaints, superintending engineer Yogendra Kumar was deputed to Indore to physically inspect completed works. He reviewed plastering, flooring, painting and other repair works in the L4-level quarters. Kumar did not report major defects in the visible repair work. However, he flagged that administrative and financial controls were weak, stating that tenders were issued without proper on-site inspections and that demand notes lacked verification. He noted that in several cases, tendering was initiated merely on the basis of informal requests, without proper supervisory checks. Tendering without field inspection Sources close to the inquiry said the biggest irregularity was not the work itself but the absence of pre-tender inspection, which is meant to determine the exact nature and scope of repair required. The officer found, financial approvals were granted without reviewing previous work orders. The findings point to a system that allowed tenders to be floated and approved with minimal oversight, despite involving government expenditure. Executive engineer defends low bids Executive engineer Jaidav Gautam, responding to questions about the unusually low tender rates, said Madhya Pradesh has no rule or minimum threshold for the lowest bid. “It is a fully online system and the lowest bidder has to be awarded the work unless technically disqualified. Other states may have rate caps, but MP does not,” he said. He added that senior officials who inspected the L3 and L4 quarters expressed satisfaction with the completed work. Cost vs. quality debate intensifies Experts familiar with government repair works argue that certain maintenance tasks, such as waterproofing, structural patching and rewiring, have minimum input costs, below which quality is difficult to guarantee. The recurring acceptance of tenders priced at 55–70 percent below estimates has therefore raised doubts about sustainability of the executed works. Report submitted; further action expected Superintending Engineer Yogendra Kumar confirmed that he has submitted his report to senior officials. “We inspected the quarters and found no major issues in the work. But administrative and financial controls were clearly lacking” PWD headquarters in Bhopal is expected to review the findings and may issue fresh instructions to strengthen documentation and supervisory processes.