Centre asks Tamil Nadu not to finalise Rs 2,000-crore Bharatnet tender

CHENNAI: The nearly Rs 2,000-crore Bharatnet tender has run into rough weather for the second time in the past six months, with the Centre once again asking Tamil Nadu government to desist from finalising the tender until a grievance filed by a USA-based company, which alleges non- compliance of Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017, is resolved.

In an office memorandum dated November 9, the Union ministry of commerce and industry has also asked the state government agency TANFINET to take disciplinary action against erring officials. “Disciplinary action may be considered against erring officers where restrictive conditions against domestic manufacturers have been imposed in a malafide fashion,” the ministry’s department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) said. DPIIT has also sought a report on the issue. “The subject procurement will not be finalised till the aforesaid grievance is disposed of by the competent authority,” the department said.