Pune, India – In a shocking revelation, the Pune district collectorate is under scrutiny for purchasing one-litre water bottles at an exorbitant price of Rs 120 during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This discovery has not only exposed potential financial mismanagement but has also raised serious concerns over the misuse of public funds, shedding light on disturbing irregularities in procurement procedures.
The procurement of various goods during the Lok Sabha elections has brought to the forefront a consistent pattern of inflated pricing, indicating a concerning trend of squandering government funds. The district collectorate’s procurement committee, chaired by the then collector and district election officer Naval Kishore Ram, is now facing scrutiny for authorizing such inflated purchases.
One glaring example is the purchase of water bottles, where a one-litre bottle was acquired for Rs 120, while a half-litre bottle cost Rs 70. The tender process, which included the procurement of 12 items, also raised eyebrows due to the selection of two contractors with identical rates for the supply of tea and food. The list included water bottles purchased at an alarming rate of Rs 120 per litre.
In February 2019, the district collectorate floated a tender valued at Rs 50 lakh for tea and food provisions. Despite having six applicants, the collector’s office selected two contractors with identical rates. The then-collector granted an unprecedented three-year extension to these contractors, a move that has come under scrutiny.
Rajesh Deshmukh assumed the role of collector after the transfer of Naval Kishore Ram. In October 2021, the extension granted to the contractor concerned was terminated. Pune’s current collector, Suhas Diwase, expressed ignorance about the purchases, citing that they occurred five years ago.
Price of water bottles
Mineral water (250 ml) – Rs 20
Mineral water (500 ml) – Rs 70
Mineral water (1L) – Rs 120
Water jar – Rs 20
As investigations unfold, questions about accountability, transparency, and adherence to procurement regulations during elections have come to the forefront, demanding a thorough examination of the processes involved.
