To check corruption in purchases made by government departments, the state cabinet on Wednesday passed a new policy that requires all departments to submit their purchase plans for each financial year in advance and complete all transactions by February 15 rather than March 31.
A government inquiry into corruption in past purchases by various departments found that eleventh-hour change in items, especially in the last 15 days of the financial year, was the root of corruption in procurement, said sources.
“As per the new policy, no proposal to purchase required items can be submitted after March 15,” finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said.
The policy came into effect from Wednesday. Collectors and CEOs will have to bring to the notice of the administration the difficulties in implementing the new policy based on which further changes might be incorporated.
It is for the first time after 23 years that the government is bringing in major changes in its purchase policy to bring to an end the rate contract system. These departmental purchases are made to meet the demands of people, local bodies and various government offices under various schemes, programmes and proposals.
The state has already made e-tendering compulsory for purchases over Rs 3 lakh. “Except for medicines, surgicals and home department vehicles or equipment which are part of emergency services, all other purchases will have to be done in advance. Even emergency purchases will have to be done in a stipulated time of seven to 15 days,” Mungantiwarsaid.