The Tamil Nadu Housing Board has issued 75 tender notifications within 10 days, at a time when tender processes across government departments are under closer monitoring following a change in administration.
According to information available, the tenders were floated between June 9 and June 19, with as many as 22 notices released on June 19 alone. The sudden spike is said to have surprised senior officials.
Earlier, several departments had invited a large number of tenders before the new government’s procedures were fully in place, prompting criticism. The government subsequently ordered the cancellation of tender notices issued in a short span and instructed officials to seek tenders only after proper file processing and government approval.
A Housing Board official said tenders had originally been called in the first week of March for various works, but were halted midway due to the election model code of conduct. The current tenders, the official added, relate to services such as supply of temporary staff and maintenance of older housing units, and do not include any new construction projects.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that senior officials are inquiring into the Housing Board’s release of a large number of tenders over a brief period.
