LUCKNOW: Without naming any country, the Uttar Pradesh government slammed doors on China in global bids for state tenders. Though the official order refers to ‘certain countries sharing land border with India’, government sources confirmed to TOI that China was the target in wake of the ongoing conflict at Ladakh.
The finance department issued the order to heads of all state departments on August 26. Officials of public sector undertakings, local bodies and all state-controlled agencies were asked to comply with the order titled — Ban on bidders from certain countries in public procurement. It referred to an order by Central department of expenditure ministry of finance, said, joint secretary (finance), Sanjay Kumar Mishra.
The GOI order by secretary expenditure, T V Somanathan said: “As you are aware, state governments play an important role in national security and defence. The government of India’s general financial rules have been amended to provide for restrictions on procurement from bidders from a country or countries or class of countries on grounds of defence and national security. Keeping in view the circumstances, it’s imperative that restrictions be applied in procurements by state governments and public undertakings, as well as in public-private partnership projects receiving state aid.”
The Centre, however, asked state governments to set up a competent authority for prior registration of bidders. It also expected state governments to send a quarterly report to the Union cabinet secretary, detailing registrations or denial of registrations.
The finance department issued the order to heads of all state departments on August 26. Officials of public sector undertakings, local bodies and all state-controlled agencies were asked to comply with the order titled — Ban on bidders from certain countries in public procurement. It referred to an order by Central department of expenditure ministry of finance, said, joint secretary (finance), Sanjay Kumar Mishra.
The GOI order by secretary expenditure, T V Somanathan said: “As you are aware, state governments play an important role in national security and defence. The government of India’s general financial rules have been amended to provide for restrictions on procurement from bidders from a country or countries or class of countries on grounds of defence and national security. Keeping in view the circumstances, it’s imperative that restrictions be applied in procurements by state governments and public undertakings, as well as in public-private partnership projects receiving state aid.”
The Centre, however, asked state governments to set up a competent authority for prior registration of bidders. It also expected state governments to send a quarterly report to the Union cabinet secretary, detailing registrations or denial of registrations.