State govt makes e-tender mandatory for all urban local body projects

Patna: The state govt has mandated e-tendering (e-Nivida) for all urban local body (ULB) projects, scrapping the 2023 exemption that allowed schemes up to Rs15 lakh to be executed departmentally.

The urban development and housing department’s fresh directive makes competitive bidding compulsory across all ULB works to enhance transparency and curb irregularities.In an order issued on Wednesday, principal secretary Vinay Kumar directed all heads of municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats and other ULBs that every project and scheme must now be implemented exclusively through the tender process.The order clarified that the earlier exemption for low-value projects stands cancelled with immediate effect. “If any scheme has not begun under the departmental method by the issuance of this directive, no further departmental execution will be allowed, and no work orders will be issued for such purposes,” it stated.Officials said the decision follows detailed review and is aimed at promoting transparency, preventing irregularities, and ensuring fair competition in awarding contracts.

All urban infrastructure projects—including roads, drainage, sanitation, water supply and other civic amenities—will now follow competitive bidding norms even for modest budgets, to ensure better value for public funds and improved quality.The directive has been sent to all district magistrates, the engineer-in-chief and other officials concerned for strict compliance. ULBs have been instructed to immediately review their ongoing and planned schemes and align them with the new guidelines.The move comes soon after financial irregularities were detected in Saharsa municipal corporation and in Naubatpur nagar panchayat.