Andhra Pradesh

Government will follow HC directive: Chief Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, NOV. 24. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, said that the Government will scrupulously follow the court direction in the tender process for irrigation works. Talking to reporters at Adoni on Wednesday, he said the court did not find fault with the Government but felt that it should have renotified the tenders after certain relaxations were given to the agencies to help participation of more number of construction companies.

Elaborating the tender process, he said the Government preferred companies with a good track record so that they could execute the projects on time at competitive prices. The companies with assets worth Rs 100 crores, turnover of Rs 400 crores, registration in the State and ISO certification were allowed to take part in the bidding. But only two companies qualified. To help participation of more companies in the bidding, certain provisions like registration in AP were relaxed, which added seven more companies.

Delay averted

He said the court felt that the relaxation of conditions should have been renotified. Though the experts advised the Government to move the Supreme Court, it preferred to honour the High Court verdict to avoid time delay. Dr. Reddy said there was no need for constituting an all-party panel on the tender process since it was decided to follow the court advice in letter and spirit.

Reiterating the Government stand for supplying Krishna water to eight backward districts, which include Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Prakasam, Nellore and four Rayalaseema districts, Mr. Reddy said the Congress Government was committed to linking the Godavari with the Krishna.

The Godavari could provide irrigation to entire north Telengana through Ellampalli and Ichchampalli projects and stabilise the Krishna delta through Dummugudem and Polavaram projects. The last two projects could generate power needed for lift irrigation schemes.

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