Chennai , 23 May (H.S.):In a significant administrative move aimed at tightening procurement practices and ensuring greater transparency in public spending, the Tamil Nadu government has cancelled more than 100 short-term tenders issued across several key departments. The decision comes as part of a broader review initiated by the newly formed government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

The cancelled tenders span multiple departments, including the Public Works Department (PWD), Electricity Department, Rural Development Department, Transport Department, Chennai Corporation, Municipal Administration Department and Water Supply Department. Official sources said the tenders identified for cancellation were issued between May 13 and May 22.

Short-term tenders are typically floated in situations requiring urgent action, where the normal bidding period is reduced to facilitate quick execution of projects. Such tenders are generally reserved for emergency works or unavoidable circumstances that require immediate intervention.

However, soon after assuming office, the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government made it clear that projects should not routinely be executed through the short-term tender route. The government had indicated that such procedures should only be adopted under exceptional situations and not become a regular administrative practice.

Following this policy direction, the administration initiated a detailed review of tenders that had been issued under shortened timelines across departments. Several contracts floated during the past few weeks were subsequently identified for scrutiny and withdrawn as part of the ongoing exercise.

Authorities stated that the tenders were cancelled for administrative reasons, although detailed information regarding the specific projects affected or the overall financial implications has not yet been disclosed.

The government had earlier signaled its seriousness on the issue by taking disciplinary action against officials accused of bypassing procurement guidelines. In both the Chennai Corporation and the Rural Development Department, certain officials were placed under suspension for allegedly proceeding with short-term tenders despite instructions from the government.

The latest move is being viewed as part of a wider administrative overhaul under the new government, with an emphasis on enhancing oversight of public expenditure and ensuring that contracts are awarded through a transparent and competitive process. Officials indicated that procurement procedures are likely to face stricter monitoring in the coming months.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman