Tripura Congress seeks probe into tender fraud involving agriculture department, writes to CM

Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President, Asish Kumar Saha, has written a formal letter to Tripura's Chief Minister, Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged fraudulent practices concerning a tender. 

The letter claims a significant nexus between the Agriculture Department and certain corporate entities, accusing the involved parties of tender manipulation, political corruption, and misuse of public resources.

Saha in his letter to Dr Saha highlighted that evidence of these irregularities has surfaced recently, but the Agriculture Department has yet to take any action. According to the PCC President, the department's reluctance to launch a departmental inquiry into the issue could severely impact the economy and the integrity of democracy.

He alleged that multiple local news outlets have reported on fraudulent activities surrounding the tender, but the Agriculture Department has remained silent on the matter.

“The tender has been floated multiple times and cancelled without clear reasoning, raising suspicions about the intent behind the process.  The corrigendum issued on March 5, 2025, failed to update or address pre-bid queries, suggesting an effort to conceal important information from potential bidders.  Several of the bidders in the tender, including "RR Solar Projects," "Balaji Solar Systems," and "Ecozen Solutions Pvt. Ltd," were found to be associated with the same Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Ecozen Solutions. As per Central Vigilance Commission guidelines, OEMs and their dealers are not allowed to participate in the same tender, raising questions about the department's oversight”, he said.

Saha said that the tender's criteria favored Ecozen Solutions Pvt. Ltd, despite allegations of poor product quality and service issues. The company's track record with the government has also been criticized for low standards.

Saha has called for the suspension of Executive Engineer Sumanta Nandi, accusing him of favoring specific companies involved in the tender process.

In addition to the current tender issues, Saha also brought attention to a previous government procurement of solar cold rooms, supplied by a company named INFY COLD.

These units, according to Saha, are still non-functional, resulting in a direct loss to farmers and the Tripura government.

The Congress leader has urged the Chief Minister to take immediate action, set up a departmental enquiry into the alleged irregularities, and suspend the implicated officials, including Sumanta Nandi. 

He also called for a review of the companies involved in the tender and a ban on their future participation in government projects.