Himachal Government orders probe into tourism tender scam

A high-level probe was instituted by the state government to investigate the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department tender scam that allegedly occurred during previous BJP rule.

IAS and Special Secretary of Education Pankaj Roy have been ordered to submit a fact-finding report on the matter within 15 days.

The probe has been started to investigate and scrutinize the tender documents from the Tourism Department. 

Allegations are being made that rigging has been done in the empanelment of advertising agencies to give advantage to someone.  After the matter came to his notice, the Principal Secretary of Tourism set up an inquiry.

 Many officials of the Tourism Department may be involved in this and it is considered certain that many officials will be punished.

The Vice President of Himachal Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and MLA from Nagrota Bagwan, RS Bali was demanded to begin the probe over alleged irregularities in the tender process.

The matter was highlighted by the media during BJP rule but after changing the government the probe was ordered after a preliminary inquiry by the state agency.

Mr Bali himself searched the record of the tender process and initial investigation found major irregularities in the tender process.

 In view of this, RS Bali wrote a letter to the departmental secretary and asked to investigate the tender process.  

He said that if any irregularities have been committed in the tender,  strict action should be taken against the guilty officials.

It is learnt that the department gave advertisements worth lakhs of rupees however funds are being provided through externally aided loans by the department for the execution of a development project.

 The Tourism Department issued advertisements worth lakhs of rupees every year through private agencies.  Similarly, the department also spends a huge amount on promotional material like hoardings.  This is a big profit-making business.

 Therefore, some officials are being accused of colluding and awarding tenders to their kin and kin.