There was a publicity of misappropriation of funds, but attempts were being made to cut down government expenditure in this program, the minister said.
The State government has not shown any partiality or favouritism in inviting the tenders for preparation of the Unique Identification Card (UID), which would be provided to all the citizens, said Civil Supplies Minister Jupally Krishna Rao.
Talking to media persons, the minister revealed that tenders were invited from 85 empanelled members, and that 38 agencies had responded. He added that the government had disqualified 6 agencies, accepting only 32 quotations.
In the first phase of the UID project, 3 crore residents will be covered in Srikakulam, East Godavari, Chittoor, Anantapur, Adilabad, Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
A multi-disciplinary committee with representatives from finance, planning, rural development and civil supplies were finalised in a transparent fashion, he said. At present, 7 districts, including Hyderabad, will set up 3,200 stations, and the remaining districts will take up the project later, the minister said.
The bidders quoted their own rates, but they were brought down. For example, the rate quoted for Hyderabad was Rs. 36.10, and it was lowered to Rs. 28.67, Jupally explained.
Similarly, in respect of other districts, the quotations were lowered, he said, adding that there was no scope for extending favouritism to anyone in any manner.
There was a publicity of misappropriation of funds, but attempts were being made to cut down government expenditure in this program, adopting strict methods in selecting the quotations, the minister said.
Courtesy: INN