Shillong, June 26: The state government has refused to cancel an open tender floated for construction of a veterinary hospital at Upper Shillong, asking all eligible bidders to participate in the process.
The Meghalaya Contractor Supplier Association has appealed to the government seeking withdrawal of the tender citing unfavourable conditions set in it.
“I cannot give any assurance to cancel or not to cancel, because an open tender has been floated,” Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Sanbor Shullai told reporters on Friday.
The tender, which was floated around a month ago, will close on July 5.
Shullai stressed that all qualified contractors are eligible to bid and the decision rests with the tender committee.
“All those who are eligible, who are capable, and who meet the criteria cannot be barred. Anyone can participate. So the question of cancellation does not arise,” he said.
Shullai said he had asked the association to join the process instead.
“They came here and I told them to participate. It is now up to the tender committee to decide to whom it will be allotted,” he said.
Explaining why an open tender was issued, the minister said, “If we already had our own people, we would not need to call a tender. That is why this is an open tender. Everybody’s free to participate.”
“All government-registered contractors, as per the criteria or conditions laid down, if they qualify, they can submit and participate. It is then up to the tender committee to examine and decide on the documents, whichever are proper from all sides, as is practised in all other states,” he added.
The proposed facility will be equipped with all essential services for animal care.
“The hospital will have all the incentives required for a hospital, including fencing, water, electricity. The hospital building must have everything to treat sick animals,” Shullai said.
He pegged the project cost roughly at Rs 60 crore and said the bidding window closes soon.
