UP to launch e-procurement for tenders to check mafia involvement

Lucknow, Dec 24 (UNI) In a bid to prevent the involvement of ''tender mafia'', the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to launch an e-procurement system to ensure better tranparency in the tender system.

The new system was today approved by the State Cabinet here and it will be launched as a pilot project in the departments of PWD and Irrigation. All tenders over Rs one crore would be covered under the system.

Besides, the departments of Health, Information Technolgy, Electronics, Industry and World Bank sponsored schemes, where the cost is over Rs 10 lakh, would have tender through the e-procurement portal.

Chief Minister Mayawati said the new system would certainly prevent the tender-mafia to manipulate the bidding process.

''The departments using the e-procurement portal would have to pay a one-time fee of Rs 25,000 and maximum of Rs 5000 per tender.'' UNI