Sindh departments issuing development contracts despite lockdown

KARACHI: While there is a province-wide lockdown across Sindh, various government organisations and departments are continuing to release tenders and contracts for development projects behind closed offices.

Sources revealed that the Executive Engineer (XEN) at Works and Services Department Sukkur Division issued a tender on the website of the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA). Sources also revealed that on March 26, Executive Engineer (XEN) Jacobabad also issued tenders worth Rs300 million on their official website.

District Municipal Corporation (DMC) South Karachi issued contracts and sought for Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) worth Rs120.10 million despite the lockdown. These were canceled when identified by the Karachi Traders Association who have raised their voice after the issuance of the tenders.

The KTA has demanded an investigation of issuing tenders behind closed offices and raised apprehension of massive embezzlement. They said that tenders continue to be published on SPPRA’s website regularly while completely negating the chief minister’s directives for the closure of public offices.

According to the KTA, DMC in Saddar Town has also issued three tenders on its website. These were also uploaded on SPPRA’s on 3rd, 4th and 7th April, involving 72 projects cumulatively worth around Rs120.10 million.

While officers are issuing tenders behind closed offices, it should be noted the chief minister has stopped the release of development funds. KTA chairman S.M. Naeem Kazmi and General-Secretary Abdul Rehman have demanded a complete investigation. They alleged that these contracts were being issued to hand-picked contractors and that the chief minister and secretary local government should take notice and revoke the tenders.