EC lifts curbs on tender process for firefighting system at SCB

Cuttack: The Election Commission (ECI) has issued a letter, lifting restrictions on the tender process for installation of firefighting system at SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, due to the model code of conduct being in force.The letter, issued to the chief electoral officer of Odisha, which EC’s counsel Gopal Agarwal submitted before the Orissa high court on Tuesday, gave permission for opening, evaluation and finalisation of tenders for firefighting system works. “The commission has granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) subject to the condition model code of conduct provisions are not violated in any manner,” read the letter by EC secretary Rakesh Sharma dated May 21.Taking the letter on record, the two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice M S Raman said, “The court now expects that the state govt shall proceed with all seriousness.”The high court was taking stock of the progress of installation of a firefighting system in SCB as a part of a PIL alleging inadequate fire safety measures at the medical college.Earlier, the bench had asked the EC counsel to take instructions on the status of the letter sent by CEO, Odisha, for lifting of restrictions, on May 16. In an affidavit on May 15, director general (fire and emergency services), Sudhanshu Sarangi, had stated the bids for installation of firefighting system in SCB could not be opened on March 16 as the model code of conduct was in force. However, the HC chief justice had observed that since this matter is of immense public importance, if no permission is granted by the CEO by May 17, the tender may be directed to be opened under the order of the court. The CEO had then said that EC’s permission had been sought in the matter.

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