Shillong, June 26: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Sanbor Shullai has made it clear that the Meghalaya Government will not cancel the open tender for the proposed ₹60-crore veterinary hospital at Upper Shillong, despite a petition from the Meghalaya Contractor Supplier Association seeking its withdrawal.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Shullai said the association had submitted a representation requesting cancellation of the tender, but stressed that no such assurance could be given as the tender had already been floated through an open and transparent process. “The Meghalaya Contractor Supplier Association submitted a petition to me to cancel the tender for the hospital at Upper Shillong. I cannot give any assurance because an open tender has already been floated,” the minister said.
He emphasized that all contractors who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria are free to participate in the bidding process and that the decision on awarding the contract rests solely with the tender committee. “All those who are eligible, capable and fulfil the required criteria cannot be barred. Anyone can participate. Therefore, the question of cancelling the tender does not arise,” Shullai said.
The minister said he had advised members of the association to take part in the bidding process rather than seek its cancellation. “I told them to participate. It is now up to the tender committee to examine the bids and decide to whom the contract will be awarded,” he said.
Explaining the rationale behind issuing an open tender, Shullai said the government follows standard procurement procedures adopted across the country. “If we already had our own people to execute the project, there would have been no need to float an open tender. All government-registered contractors who satisfy the laid-down conditions are free to participate. The tender committee will evaluate all documents and take a decision as per established procedures,” he added.
The proposed veterinary hospital at Upper Shillong will be equipped with modern infrastructure and essential facilities required for comprehensive animal healthcare, including water supply, electricity, fencing and other supporting infrastructure.
Shullai said the project is estimated to cost around ₹60 crore. The tender was floated over a month ago and is scheduled to close on July 5, after which the tender committee will begin evaluating the bids received.
