Mumbai : In an attempt to introduce transparency in procurement of materials and services, Maharashtra government on Friday informed the state legislative assembly that since October 1, all procurement over Rs 3 lakh will be done through e-tendering process.
The state government also decided to give priorities to industries owned by people from backward classes when it comes to procurement.
State industries minister Subhash Desai said in a statement that a decision has been taken keeping rising prices in mind and the need for transparency in government purchases.
“Under the new procurement policy, small and medium scale industrialists especially those belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes would be given priority,” he said. The policy’s aim is to ensure that there is no autonomous power in purchases and that procurement powers are decentralised, he said.
He said that priority would be given to industrialists from the state if the lowest bidder is from outside the state.
Fifty per cent of contracts would be given to bidders, while the remaining 50 per cent of contracts would be given to industrialists from within the state, he said, adding that a website called mahatender.gov.in has all details about e-tendering.
