Probe tenders awarded in Ashok Gehlot government: Samajwadi Party

JAIPUR: Accusing the former Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan of awarding several tenders related with public works department on high rates, Samajwadi Party today demanded a high-level probe into the tendering process.

The party has alleged that 1,629 tenders were awarded to certain contractors on high rates to collect election fund during the previous Congress government in the state.

"These tenders were given hurriedly on rates higher five times than the standard rates. Special conditions were imposed to favour specific firms.

"The tenders, which involves Rs 20,000 crore, were given to big contractors and we suspect that the entire exercise was carried out just to collect election fund by then government," Anil Singh Shekhawat, state vice president of the party, said.

"Present BJP government has said that the decisions taken by the former government during last six months will be reviewed and we endorse this. There should be an inquiry to look into irregularities in the tendering process," he demanded.