Prime Minister’s Office intervenes to scrap Sunkoshi-Marin project tender
Summary
The Prime Minister’s Office intervened to cancel the tender for the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project just as bid evaluation was nearing completion. The move has drawn criticism from experts and officials, who say the cancellation was rushed and legally questionable.
Key Points
- The Prime Minister’s Office intervened to stop and cancel the tender for the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project after bid evaluation had been completed and financial proposals were about to be opened.
- Officials and legal experts said the cancellation appears to have been issued under coercion and relied on the wrong provision of the Public Procurement Act.
- The project is designed to build a dam and powerhouse and provide irrigation to about 122,000 hectares across several Tarai districts.
- The controversy follows a pattern of Prime Minister’s Office interference in departmental procurement decisions, including a previous passport-printing contract dispute.
