GCC floats ‘unfair' 24-hr tenders, backtracks
However, officials privy to the matter said a corrigendum was issued individually later, confirming that the tenders will be open till mid-August.
The tenders had been floated on Wednesday at 1.30pm, and GCC mandated that the bids should be submitted by 3pm the next day. The tenders were to be opened within 24 hours, the next day. The tenders were for park restoration, classroom building, road restoration, and installing rainwater harvesting pipes, each worth 5 lakh to 40 lakh, and totalling more than 1 crore.
As per Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Rules, 2000, a tender must be open for participation for at least 21 days, up to 90 days, for contractors to view and apply on the TN Tenders website. Short-term tenders must be open for at least 15 days.
You Can Also Check:
Chennai AQI
|
Weather in Chennai
|
Bank Holidays in Chennai
|
Public Holidays in Chennai
Even with other tenders that GCC floated on the same website, it has given a 15-20 day window for contractors to participate and apply. Activists and contractors flagged that this only indicated GCC officials intimating select contractors to participate in 'namesake' bidding.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain
Knee pain | search ads
Find Now
Undo
Chennai Contractors Association president R Ramarao said the window is 15 days for any tender. "It is suspicious as to why they would close them within 24 hours.
It only means they are opening this for select contractors who already know about the tenders. I have already filed court cases regarding such short-term tenders, and GCC must ensure fair competition in tenders," he said.
M Radhakrishnan of the NGO Arappor Iyakkam said they flagged the issue of similar short-term tenders in 2022 for road relaying in Manali.
"We also took it up to the Tamil Nadu local body ombudsman and proved our case on how GCC finished work in August 2022, but floated a namesake tender for the same work in October. Yet, no FIR was filed. If action had been taken in this case, officials wouldn't have repeated this," he said. Activists said there's no scope for even 2-3 people to participate within 24 hours and urged GCC not to bypass regular tender norms.
"Even for the Marina battery-operated vehicles (BOV) procurement this year, they floated a limited tender.
The value of individual tenders might not be much, but when multiplied, it could run into several crores across all 15 zones," he said.
While GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran and deputy commissioner (Works) V Sivakrishnamurthy weren't available for comment. "The tenders will be open till mid-Aug," said an official, who did not want to be named. Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar said he will look into the matter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump says he will raise tariff of India 'substantially' in next 24 hours
Donald Trump TOI correspondent from Washington: Ties between US and India are headed downhill on the slippery slope of Russian oil. Accusing New Delhi of fueling the Moscow war machine, US President Donald Trump said he would, in the next 24 hours, raise tariffs on Indian exports "substantially" on top of the 25 per cent he has already announced. In a phone-in interview on CNBC, Trump claimed that New Delhi had agreed to zero tariffs for US exports into India, but asserted that's not good enough because of the Russia issue. "They're fueling the (Russian) war machine. And if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," a peeved Trump said, hours after New Delhi defiantly said it will continue to buy Russian oil, arguing that Washington had actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. The fact that former US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has confirmed this appears to have have irked the Trump White House, which suggests that the Biden administration gave India a free pass. The rules have now changed, forcing New Delhi -- and many countries across the world -- to consider switching policy depending on which party comes to power in America. In a separate interview on Fox News, Trump aide Stephen Mller said Trump "has been very clear that it is unacceptable for India to continue funding this war by buying oil from Russia.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola 'People are shocked when they learn that India is actually on par with China in terms of the volume of Russian oil purchases. That is a striking fact,' Miller said. Yet, the Trump White House has adopted different rules for different countries, cutting China plenty of slack because of the leverage it wields in terms of critical exports to the US like rare earths, compared to India. Similarly, countries that resist US hectoring and push back, like Canada, have attracted immediate punitive tariffs, compared to countries that have rolled over (Japan and South Korea) or bought have time (Mexico). In the CNBC interview, Trump continued his tirade against India for its high tariffs despite claiming New Delhi had agreed to lower it to zero. "Now I will say went from the highest tariffs ever, they will give us zero tariffs, and they're going to let us go in. But that's not good enough, because because of what they're doing with (buying Russian) oil," Trump said. The US President also knocked down current trade with India, which stands at around $135 billion, saying "we do very, very little business with India because their tariffs are so high." India ranks 9th on the list of US trading partners, but Trump is irked by the $45 billion trade deficit caused by India's $87 billion exports to the US, compared to its imports from the US of $42 billion. "So India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them," he complained even though India has pledged to reduce the deficit by buying more US arms and armaments, oil and gas, among other exports. He wants India to open its markets for US auto industry like Japan, South Korea, and EU have done despite American car manufacturers being run out of a competitive global market. Trump's trade and tariff rampage has affected countries far and wide, rich and poor, with former allies and adversaries being re-arranged depending on who bows and scrapes before the US President with flattery and pledged of big investments in America. The US President threw out numbers like a $600 billion investment from EU and $500 billion from Japan among other pledges -- even though details of the purported agreements remain sketchy -- to boast that money is flowing into the US and the country is rich again. Trump's trade-centric, America First approach at the expense geo-political considerations has sent many world leaders scrambling to Washington. Switzerland's President Karin Keller-Sutter is rushing to the White House this week to negotiate lower taxes after Trump slapped a 39 percent tariff on the country, ostensibly because she was not obsequious enough during an argumentative phone call. The US is a big market for US for Swiss products such as luxury watches, jewellery, chocolate, and pharmaceuticals. While these items and products will become more expensive for American customers (as will items ranging from apparel to seafood that India exports to US because of the 25% plus tariffs), it will allow countries with lower tariffs to take advantage of the differential.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
10 genius grocery hacks to beat rising food prices in the US
Grocery bills are stretching wallets tighter than ever. In a recent Associated Press-NORC poll, 53% of Americans named food costs as their top financial stressor, more than housing, health care, or even credit card debt. The Consumer Price Index backs that up: grocery prices jumped 2.4% over the last year, and eggs alone saw a shocking 27.3% spike. From meats to milk, every major category got costlier. If you're looking to save without sacrificing your shopping list, these ten smart grocery hacks can help. Check your shelves before going to the store Before you step out to shop, peek into your pantry, fridge, and freezer. You might already own half the ingredients for dinner. Few apps let you plug in what you have and suggest recipes, no extra spending required. Lists are your new best friend A list isn't just helpful—it's your budget's bodyguard. Plan meals, jot down only what you need, and resist temptations like limited-edition cookies. Few apps make it easier by helping you meal-plan ahead of time. Freeze what you don't need right away If you spot a great deal on bread, meat, or berries, buy extra and freeze the rest. It prevents waste and saves you from paying full price next week. Buy in bulk (Selectively) Things like rice, oats, beans, and nuts are often cheaper in bulk bins. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Find Out More About How People Travel for Less vividtrendlab Learn More Undo Just make sure it's something you'll actually use before it goes stale. Midweek is the money-saver's sweet spot Shop on Wednesdays. According to Google Maps, grocery stores are quieter midweek, so you'll be more focused and less likely to impulse-buy. Bonus: many stores drop their new weekly deals that day. Go full fruit and veggie Skip the pre-chopped options. A whole carrot or onion costs way less than the sliced version. You'll pay with a bit more prep time, but your bank account will thank you. (Though maybe skip oranges for now, they're pricier due to shortages.) Use Loyalty Programs Most grocery stores have free membership programs that offer digital coupons or points you can redeem for discounts or freebies. Sign up, it adds up fast. Do the unit price math Check the price per ounce, gram, or item—not just the sticker cost. A jumbo pack might be cheaper in the long run, even if it looks more expensive up front. It's all about cost per use. Never shop on an empty stomach Seems obvious, right? But hunger makes you throw extra stuff in the cart, snacks, junk, even candles. Eat a snack or meal before heading out so your cravings don't control the list. Plan meals around sales Instead of planning meals and then shopping, reverse it. Check weekly flyers and base your menu on what's on discount.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Jalore to Georgia: Sunita Chaudhary's grit shines with AU Bano Champion
1 2 Jaipur: From the dusty lanes of Jalore, Sunita Chaudhary has woven a tale of courage and determination, earning a spot to represent India at the Batumi Open International Wushu Tournament 2025, being held from August 1 to 6 in Georgia. Out of just 16 players selected from across India, Sunita is the only one from Rajasthan, making her a beacon of pride for her state. Thanks to AU Small Finance Bank's 'AU Bano Champion' initiative, this village girl is ready to shine on the global stage. A journey fuelled by grit and dreams. Sunita grew up in a small village in Jalore, where making ends meet was tough, and sports facilities were a distant dream. Despite the odds—poverty and lack of resources—she never gave up. Her life changed in 2021 when she joined the AU Bano Champion programme. With rigorous training in wushu, guidance from dedicated coaches, and sheer hard work, Sunita transformed her dream into reality. Today, she stands tall as Rajasthan's sole representative at this international tournament. AU Bano Champion: Building dreams from the ground up AU Small Finance Bank's 'Bano Champion' programme is changing lives in 62 rural and semi-urban areas of Rajasthan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo Over 8,100 kids are getting training in sports like athletics, football, volleyball, and throwball. In just three years, the initiative has produced 55 national-level athletes who are making waves at district and state levels. With skilled coaches, better facilities, and exposure camps, this programme is helping kids from villages reach big stages. Turning dreams into reality AU Small Finance Bank isn't just about banking—it's about uplifting communities. The 'Bano Champion' initiative gives rural kids discipline, confidence, and opportunities to chase their dreams. Sunita's story is proof of its impact. This programme doesn't just promote sports; it teaches kids how to set goals and achieve them, changing their lives for the better. Sunita: Rajasthan's pride Being the only athlete from Rajasthan among India's 16 selected players, Sunita's achievement is a matter of pride for her village, Jalore, and the entire state. Her journey shows that with determination and the right support, no dream is too big. She has made every Rajasthani stand taller with her success. Your turn to shine Sunita's story is an inspiration for every kid dreaming big in Rajasthan's villages. AU Bano Champion is open to anyone with a passion for sports. If you know a child who loves to play, connect them with this program. Let's help more kids from Rajasthan turn their dreams into reality. From Jalore to Georgia, Sunita's journey proves that with grit, hard work, and the right support, any dream can come true. The AU Bano Champion isn't just creating athletes—it's shaping Rajasthan's future stars!
