Guj minister favouring Chinese steel for irrgn project: Cong

Congress today alleged that tender rules for Gujarat government's Rs 10,000 crore lift irrigation pipeline project have been tweaked on directions of Water Supply Minister Babu Bokhiria to "facilitate" import of Chinese steel and demanded an ACB inquiry.
However, Bokhiria dismissed the allegations, saying the tender has not been opened yet and that purchase of raw material is done by contractor concerned and not by government.
"The state government has approved a project worth Rs 10,000 crore to lay steel pipelines for lift irrigation. Water Resources department floated tenders for the first phase of the project worth Rs 3,000 crore.

"However, after the tender was floated and applications received, on the direction of Water Resources Minister Babu Bokhiriya, specifications were changed with the provision that steel slabs can be imported," alleged former Congress state president Arjun Modhvadia.
He said the tenders for steel pipelines were invited by government in past occasions from Indian manufacturers only.
Modhvadia said the specifications were altered to "facilitate import of steel slabs from China and make plates here for pipelines. So 100 per cent steel will come from China."

He said, "It is both against the Centre's 'Make in India' and the purchase policy of state government. While common people support boycott of Chinese products, the state government will be number one in the country in importing Chinese steel."

He said Congress wants scrapping of all tenders, and investigation by Anti-Corruption Bureau. "The new provision to use imported steel should also be scrapped," the Congress leader said.
When contacted, Bokhiria said, "The tender has not been opened yet. Also, state government does not make purchase of items. It is done by the contractor.