GIBA questions discrimination in govt tenders

The Department of
Education (DoE) in Goa had come up with two schemes-'Cyberage' and
'Supply of Computers to Schools' in Goa. But the Goa IT
Business Association (GIBA) alleged that both these schemes color="#000000">
were designed only for a certain section of suppliers,
consisting of five to six manufacturers, dealers and suppliers of IT
material, and the department itself. The Cyberage scheme was launched
to provide PCs to all the students, once they reach standard XIth by
paying a meager fee of Rs 1,000 and style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Rs
500 in the village areas, and each student was allowed to take a PC
home.

style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">According
to Prashant Kuncolienkar, President, GIBA, “There has been certain
irregularities in the tender notice issued by the government for the
supply of 4,320 computers. It also proposed 22,000 computers under
Cyberage scheme, which ensures that majority of the dealers are kept
out of the tendering processes.” He also pointed out a clause in
the tender which states that the eligible dealer would be the one who
has supplied style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">
style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">1,000
PCs style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">
in a single
order, which is impossible. The scheme also states that
partners who have achieved a turnover of Rs 5 crore are only eligible
for this scheme. GIBA has complained to the education department
regarding this discrimination as well.

Kuncolienkar mentioned that the earlier
Cyberage tender provided a certain reservation for the Goan dealers
which has been omitted in the present tender. Shrivallabh Sardesai,
Treasurer, GIBA opined, “The five suppliers who were selected last
year are only eligible for this year too. When the government is
aware that it is impossible for the partners to sell color="#000000">1,000
PCs at one go, then why have they come up with such a tender?”
The association has also requested the DoE to evaluate the past
performance of the suppliers in terms of providing after-sales
service, support and maintenance. Meanwhile, Ruben Quadors,
Proprietor, Texel Computers stated, “There might be objections from
the associations, which is valid from their point of view. But at the
same time, the government also needs to ensure that the tender
specifications should meet the criteria and the qualification of the
people who are capable of executing it in a proper manner.”

Kuncolienkar also
questioned the relevance of providing computers to students when they
are answering the HSSC examination, suggesting that computers should
be provided to students when they take admission to class XI.