E-tender system faces irregularities:2 bidders rejected in 7 minutes without hearing after opening; work order released next day

In a recent case from the Public Works Department (PWD), the entire process from opening technical bids to financial bids—was completed in just 7 minutes, raising serious questions. As per rules, disqualified contractors must be informed of the reasons, their replies must be taken, and a committee meeting should be held before any decision. However, in this case, two bidders were rejected without any hearing. The financial bids of the remaining two were opened, and the work order was issued the very next day. The case is related to a tender worth ₹4.95 crore. PWD Division-1, Bhopal, had invited an e-tender for a tent and other arrangements at Lal Parade Ground under tender ID 2025-PWDRB-470109. This was a two-cover system tender, where technical bids are opened first, followed by financial bids. As per rules, financial bids are opened only after checking documents like registration, affidavit, experience, turnover, and other required papers in the technical stage. A total of four bidders had participated in this tender. Case-1 Tender awarded without a machinery license A tender worth 31.53 crore rupees (468585/2025) was issued for 5.9 km road widening and pole shifting from Amaltas to Rapadiya Bypass and from Bhagwati Nagar to Jatkhedi. As per the conditions, it was mandatory for the contractor to have their own machinery and a valid electrical license. During technical scrutiny, it was found that one contractor did not have both of these, yet their financial bid was opened. Case 2: License was supposed to be A-class In January 2026, a tender worth 4.12 crore rupees was issued for the shifting of electric lines and poles from Kaliyasot Dam to NLIU Road. The condition was that the firm must possess an ‘A-Class’ electrical license. The contractor was qualified without this mandatory qualification. This is a direct violation of the tender process rules. According to the rules, if someone is disqualified, it is mandatory to state the reason via email. After this, the committee, headed by the Chief Engineer, has to upload ‘Rejection Minutes’ on the portal. In this case, instead of the committee’s decision, only the ‘list of committee members’ was uploaded on the portal. It is alleged that the contractor who got the work did not submit the required affidavit with this tender. Instead, an affidavit from another tender was attached, which is not considered valid according to the rules. How the matter was decided in 7 minutes January 6, 2026: Everything is clear in the e-tender regarding what documents need to be submitted. One can at least see that. As for giving three days to the disqualified parties, taking responses via email, and uploading minutes, why didn’t they submit them on the portal as per the tender conditions? -Sanjay Maske, Chief Engineer, Bhopal Division It’s natural justice. The person who has been disqualified should be told why they were declared ineligible. So that the committee can make a decision on the arguments they present.-AR Singh, Deputy Secretary, Public Works Department