No Tender, No GeM: Direct Dealings with Local Vendors Under Scrutiny

The recent acquisition of sports equipment for schools and training centres in Rajnandgaon has come under fire for sidestepping established procurement channels. Officials are accused of procuring items worth ₹52.91 million directly from local suppliers, bypassing both the tender process and the Government e‑Marketplace (GeM) system.

Investigators noted that the required purchase committee – a statutory body that ensures fair competition – was never formed. As a result, the department allegedly awarded contracts on a discretionary basis, undermining the transparency that public procurement laws are designed to protect.

Further concerns emerged when the audit revealed that no physical verification of the received goods took place, and supportive documentation was either missing or incomplete. These procedural gaps suggest a systemic breach of financial regulations.

Collector Jitendra Yadav, acting on the audit’s conclusions, suspended Assistant Director Albiyus Ekka and ordered a comprehensive departmental inquiry. The probe aims to identify all parties involved and to recommend corrective measures to prevent future violations.