“Chandigarh based firm has been given work of providing security guards in Jammu and Kashmir without prior PSARA from UT government is violation of terms and conditions of the tender document”
K Koushal
In gross violation of norms and an apparent case of ‘nepotism’, National Health Mission (NHM) had allotted work worth crores to a firm from outside Jammu and Kashmir, even when the firm was not legally eligible for such allotment.
According to sources, National Health Mission Jammu and Kashmir had floated tenders for supply of different category (ies) of manpower, including Data Entry Operators/Office Assistants and Support Staff for working in various institutions of Health & Medical Education Department J&K under NHM vide E-NIT No. 09 of 2017.
“The tendering committee surprisingly passed technical bid of a firm, which was not registered with the Health and Medical Education Department of J&K, despite having it as one of the primary clauses in the Terms and Conditions of the tender document,” said sources, adding that it was clearly mentioned in the tender document that bidders should be registered supplier with the Health and Medical Education Department of J&K.
Sources, sharing documents (in possession of The Typewriter) stated that the tendering committee allotted tenders to the same firm, namely Tiranga Security and Manpower Solutions.
“Supposed to be rejected on several grounds in the first phase itself, the NHM tendering committee allotted work worth crores to Tiranga Security and Manpower Solutions, proving crystal clear case of corruption and nepotism,” alleged sources, adding that the said firm has got his registration with Purchase Committee of Government Medical College and Associated Hospitals Jammu on 04-10-2018 vide Registration No PC/2018/439, almost after 9 months of getting the work.
Questioning the wisdom of the NHM and ‘oblivious’ approach of the Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir, sources asserted that the NHM has compromised with the security of the Union Territory by allotting security work to an outside firm, and ‘ignorant’ Home Department was ‘mute spectator’.
“The operation of private security agencies is governed by the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act, 2005 (PSARA). Private security services are increasing with an increase in concerns about crime and terrorism. The firm should have been registered with the respective State, where it is supposed to work,” said sources, adding that a firm registered in Chandigarh has been given work of providing security guards in Jammu and Kashmir, is another violation of PSARA and terms and conditions of the tender document.
The story of violations by the said firm does not end here, the above stated company has violated another term and condition of the tender document by giving declaration on Rs 50 Non Judicial Stamp Paper, whereas it was required to be a scanned copy of an affidavit on Non Judicial Stamp Paper of Rs 100 duly attested by 1st Class Magistrate.
“The above stated company has submitted declaration on an affidavit on Non Judicial Stamp Paper which was attested by Executive Magistrate 1st Class (Tehsildar), wherein it was declared that the total number of employees of the company on its payroll is 804 and also deducted EPF with respect to all the manpower services provided by it during preceding three financial years and deposited the same (both employer share & employee share) along with all other statutory dues with the concerned authorities and there is no outstanding against it,” maintained sources, adding that whereas the FORM C issued in favour of M/S Trinaga Security and Manpower Solutions on 29-07-2018 shows that the company has only one employee.
The documents also revealed that GST returns 3B for the month of July 2020 were missing and only for the month of May was uploaded by the company. “The company has been blacklisted by the ESIC since last five years,” said sources, adding that most alarming aspect was not the money exchanging hands in the unwholesome bargains but the open defiance of norms and procedures, fearlessness and audacity displayed by corrupt elements in executing such illegal bargains.
When The Typewriter tried to contact Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Choudhary Mohammad Yasin for comments on the issue, he was unavailable for comments by the time this report was published.
Principal Secretary to the Government Home Department, Shaheen Kabra was also unavailable for comments on the issue of outside PSARA holder.
Snapshot of C Form showing total number of employees.
Snapshot of affidavit declaring total number of employees.
Snapshots of work order and registration certificate.
