New Delhi, Nov 7 (KNN) In what could be a ray of hope for the MSME suppliers fighting to get their proper participation in the Railway tenders under Public Procurement Policy, the Research Designs & Standards Organization (RDSO) has asked the Railway Board for “strict compliance” of the policy.

RDSO is a research and development organisation under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, which functions as a technical adviser and consultant to the Railway Board.

H.S. Chopra, Managing Director of Lucknow based Data Technosys(Engineers) Pvt. Ltd has been pointing out the tenders floated by Railways in which MSMEs were not allowed to participate.

He alleged that the tenders are tweaked in such a way that the small entrepreneurs are not eligible to participate in it. Also Read http://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/msme/medium/eligible-msmes-ignored-in-railway-tenders

“In May, 2016 when we were seriously pursuing the Procurement Policy for Railway I made a suggestive Complaint / Grievance on MSME on line complaint system. Today I have received a letter from RDSO which is addressed to Railway Board with copy to me,” he told KNN hailing the letter from the RDSO to resolve the issue.

He said, “Not only this, Railway has also issued a new notification as Railway Policy in August 2016,” Chopra added.

The RDSO in its letter to the Railway Board, said, “Instructions have been issued to all the Purchase officers for strictly compliance of the related policy measures while taking tender decision.”

Further, it is also said that continuous efforts and initiatives are being made by RDSO for enhancing procurement from MSEs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of MSME, in its response to the grievance put up by Chopra on the Grievance Monitoring System, said, “This office has from time to time written to the Railway Board for extending benefits of the PP Policy to micro and small units.”  If after repeated communication from this Ministry still some errant officers are indulging to sabotage the implementation of the Government Policies such officers should be given exemplary punishment both in terms of financial recovery as well as bad entry in the career so that other may learn lesson and should not act as a barrier for development of MSME units.  It is therefore suggested that a high level meeting among ministries / Railway Board may be convened and such decision should be taken, circulated, executed monitored.”

According to the new notification by the Railway Board, issued in August this year, “In tender, participating MSEs quoting price within price band of L1+15% shall also be allowed to supply a portion of requirement by bringing down their price to L1 price in a situation where L1 price is from someone other than a MSE and such MSE shall be allowed to supply up to 20% of total tendered value.” Watch Video: http://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/msme/no-question-of-asking-for-turnovers-msmes-have-l1-rebates-kalraj-mishra-on-tenders-ignoring-mses-watch-full-video

Chopra, however, noted that on ground no fruits are visible out of this policy as all tenders are coming practically on the same ground as was previously being done.

Also Read: http://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/msme/railways-does-it-again-tweaks-tender-to-keep-msmes-away (KNN Bureau)