CM directive to finalise tenders for solar pump sets.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has asked officials to immediately finalise tenders and commence work on installation of solar pump sets to supply 500 MW power to agricultural fields.

He gave the instructions while reviewing the functioning of energy sector at the Secretariat recently. Recalling the earlier tendering in the matter, he also asked officials to award the works to the lowest bidder last time.

The Telangana government had in November cancelled tenders for installation of solar pump sets after detecting irregularities in the selection of the lowest bidder. It was found that the market price for 5 hp and 3 hp solar pump sets which the government wanted to order was lower than the lowest bid. As many as 68 solar panel manufacturing companies participated in the tenders, of which 47 financial bids were declared eligible.

Mr. Rao told the meeting that the government would promote solar power generation in the future.

THE HINDU