Tender Fixing Controversy Rocks Odisha's Bolangir District

A serious tender fixing controversy in the Rural Development (RD) division of Odisha ’s Bolangir district has prompted the district administration to initiate a formal inquiry. The investigation follows allegations that the tender process was manipulated, leading to the unfair exclusion of contractor Md Shakil. In response to the allegations, Sub-Collector Soumya Ranjan Behera, acting on the directions of the District Collector , has started the inquiry into the matter. A written notice has been issued to Chief Construction Engineer (CCE) Sukhadev Mahali, instructing him to appear before the Collector’s office along with all relevant documents related to the tender process. “We have received a complaint from Md Shakil. Based on the complaint, we have issued a letter to the CCE, asking him to be present with all relevant documents as per the order of the Collector,” Sub-Collector Behera confirmed. The investigation centers around allegations that the tendering process in the RD division was manipulated to unfairly exclude contractor Md Shakil. The matter gained momentum after the complainant raised the issue with several authorities, including Chief Minister Mohan Majhi during his visit to Bolangir, and RD Minister Rabi Naik, adding a political dimension to the controversy. The complaint was originally filed on April 20, but it wasn’t until May 4 that the notice was issued. The delay in action has raised questions about the responsiveness of local authorities, even as formal proceedings have now commenced. Adding to the controversy, CCE Sukhadev Mahali has reportedly taken leave citing personal reasons following the surfacing of the tender fixing allegations. His absence has fueled further speculation about the investigation and its transparency. Locals and contractors in the area have expressed concerns that irregularities in the tender process are not uncommon, though they are rarely exposed. The complainant’s determination to bring the issue to light, reaching out across multiple platforms, has sparked public outcry for a fair and thorough investigation. There is mounting pressure on the district administration to ensure that the inquiry is conducted transparently and that accountability is maintained throughout the process. The district administration has already begun examining the relevant documents, and further actions will be determined based on the findings of the inquiry. The case remains under investigation, and the outcome is expected to have significant implications for the region's tendering processes.