The State Government has decided to bring in sweeping reforms in the tender processes to ensure that there is no scope for irregularities or favouritism.

The Government has accordingly decided to bring the entire tender process under one umbrella. The State Cabinet has resolved to rope in a committee of experts to examine the existing process and suggest changes required to bring the entire process under one system for more transparency.

In the process, the committee will examine the provisions governing the award of works by national agencies like the National Highways Authority of India before making its recommendations.

It has been resolved to amend the Government Order (GO Ms 94) accordingly so that the tender systems and engineering works are awarded to eligible bidders without giving scope for irregularities. The GO Ms 94, described as the mother document by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, has been in operation since 2003.

But provisions were subject to changes as departments and corporations gave separate orders from time to time, changing the provisions to suit their convenience. “Projects and works require preparation of detailed project reports, securing administrative approvals and other formalities. The Cabinet has decided to rectify the order allowing more transparency,” Mr. Srinivas Reddy said.

Gram Panchayats to be allowed to deposit their revenues in banks

The State Cabinet had decided to allow the gram panchayats to deposit their revenue proceeds in the banks and other financial institutions closer to them so that they could operate these accounts without hassles. The panchayats were hitherto depositing their revenues into the treasury accounts, the operation of which had become cumbersome for them. “The Panchayat Raj Act of 2018 will be amended accordingly, facilitating the gram panchayats to make deposits in the banks closer to them,” he said.

The Cabinet had also resolved to reserve one post among the five posts of co-opted members in municipalities and corporations to transgenders. It had approved the preparation of a detailed project report pertaining to the balance works of the Chinna Kaleshwaram project which was set aside by the previous BRS Government.

It had also sanctioned 29 posts in the degree college at Dharmapuri. The sanction follows a request made by Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar.