Public procurement should be transparent, frugal: Chief Secretary Dr Aryal

Kathmandu / Aug 20: Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal has said public procurement process should be made fair, transparent, frugal and rational.

During a programme organized on the 17th establishment day of Public Procurement Monitoring Office here today, Chief Secretary Dr Aryal insisted on avoiding misuse of tax because it is the major sources of public procurement.

“Adoption of technology is on rise on public procurement process. Concerned bodies should facilitate in solving problems on enforcement of acts,” he said, adding that a system was being developed where public procurement could be monitored via technology.

On the occasion, an annual report incorporating the activities of the Office, recommendation and monitoring was submitted to the government via Chief Secretary Aryal.

In the year 2079/80BS, the Public Procurement Office blacklisted a total of 162 companies, firms, suppliers, consultants, service providers, construction entrepreneurs for violating rule.

The Office shared that the year recorded 421 public agencies registered in electronic procurement system while there were 6,274 tender submissions and 33,429 published tender calls.

Secretary at the Office, Dr Damodar Regmi, has said there were still many challenges for public procurement, so efforts are needed for reform. “Revision of Public Procurement Act was underway for wiping out problematic points. However, for this to happen, cooperation from all sides is imperative.”

He underscored that transparent public procurement process helps maintain fiscal discipline.

Similarly, Chairman of Public Procurement Review Committee, Mohan Krishna Sapkota, opined that public procurement needs knowledge so that it helps achieve goal.

Chairman of Nepal Construction Entrepreneurs’ Federation, Rabi Singh, viewed the laws and acts must be construction friendly and out of political influence and pressure. RSS