ITANAGAR, Sep 23: Hearing the PIL No 24 (AP) 2017 filed by one Nabam Tagam against the state government and seven others, the Gauhati High Court, Itanagar permanent bench has asked the state respondents to file an affidavit stating their reasons as to why the method of e-procurement had not been followed.
The Court further said, “If the e-procurement is required to be followed, as to when, the Rural Works Department will adopt the same.”
In his PIL, the petitioner said that the Rural Works Department, while issuing NIT, dated 04.08.2017, had not followed the method of e-procurement. According to counsel for the petitioner, K Jini, as per the office memorandum, dated 17.03.2015 of the Under Secretary to the Government of India, e-procurement system is required to be adopted by all the procuring departments of all the states and union territories.
On the other hand, Additional Senior Government Advocate, D Soki stated that the RWD has not adopted the e-procurement system in certain category of works.
However, in other works, like PMGSY, the said system of e-procurement had been adopted.
It is expected that by the next date fixed, the concerned affidavit will be filed by the state respondents.
