MNRE Advises RE Agencies to Comply with GFR Rules, Avoid Short-Window Bids

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a stern advisory to all central and state government agencies in the renewable energy sector, directing them to ensure strict compliance with procurement rules and regulations.

The advisory follows reports that a few agencies had recently floated tenders with unusually short bid submission timelines, in some cases as little as seven days, raising concerns that the move was intended to bypass the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) mandate for solar cells.

The ministry reminded Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs), public sector undertakings and other government bodies that they are required to adhere fully to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Central Vigilance Commission in matters of public procurement. These norms, the advisory emphasized, are crucial for ensuring financial propriety and transparency in government contracting.

MNRE has instructed that any bids already issued with short timelines and without proper compliance to General Financial Rules (GFR) and CVC regulations may need to be scrapped and reissued in line with the prescribed norms. It further directed all concerned agencies to report back on the action taken within 15 days.