Congress Demands High-Level Probe into Punjab Foodgrain Storage Tender Allotment
The Congress party has called for a comprehensive high-level investigation into the allotment of tenders by the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (PSWC) for the construction of open and covered storage facilities for food grains. This demand comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding the tragic suicide of Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the PSWC Amritsar district manager, which has raised serious questions about the integrity of the tendering process.
Allegations of Political and Bureaucratic Involvement
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has made strong allegations, claiming that top bureaucrats and politicians from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are deeply involved in the high-stakes tendering process. Bajwa emphasized that the situation requires immediate transparency and accountability to address potential corruption and mismanagement.
Sources have indicated that the proposed site for the storage facilities had a high-tension power line passing overhead, which rendered it technically unsuitable under established guidelines. This technical flaw has further fueled suspicions about the legitimacy of the tender allotments and whether proper due diligence was followed.
Demand for Public Disclosure of Tender Details
In a bold move, Bajwa has demanded that the Punjab government upload complete details of all tenders allotted by the PSWC during the 2025-26 fiscal year on the corporation's official website within the next 24 hours. He specified that this information should include the names of the individuals or entities to whom the tenders were awarded, along with the full terms and conditions of each contract.
Specifically, Bajwa called for the public disclosure of tenders related to 50,000 metric tons of storage space in Bikhwind and Patti. These tenders are believed to be linked to the immense pressure that allegedly drove Dr. Randhawa to take his own life, making their transparency crucial for uncovering the truth behind the incident.
Background of the Controversy
The allegations and demands from Congress emerge against the backdrop of a growing scandal involving the PSWC. The suicide of Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa has sparked widespread concern and speculation about potential irregularities in the corporation's operations, particularly in the allocation of tenders for critical infrastructure like foodgrain storage.
This issue highlights broader concerns about governance and accountability in Punjab's public sector, with calls for stricter oversight to prevent such tragedies and ensure fair practices in government tendering processes.
