Shillong: Shillong’s Power department failed to float competitive bids for transformer repairs for nearly seven years. RTI records obtained by advocate Napoleon S. Mawphniang show the department issued just one procurement tender between January 2019 and February 2026. This single tender for 225 transformers, valued at Rs 2.90 crore, took eight months to reach an award stage.
The department cited urgency to deny bidders more time, yet records show a sluggish pace. Technical bids opened in October 2025, but the price-bid evaluation dragged until March 2026. Officials did not issue the Letter of Award until May 1, 2026. They also relaxed a mandatory BEE Star Label certificate requirement after opening bids. This move drew sharp criticism for damaging the integrity of the process.
The deal is already crumbling. H-Bus Equipment Manufacturing Company attempted to withdraw from the contract 10 days after receiving it. The firm cited geopolitical conflicts and the fact that the department’s own delays allowed the price-validity window to expire. Mawphniang noted, “The department’s own delay ran past the price-validity window required in its own tender document.”
Internal records show the Tender Committee knew H-Bus could only manufacture 125 of the 145 required transformers. While the department issued a show-cause notice to H-Bus, it pressured a smaller bidder, Vijay Electric Infra Private Limited, to accept its award under threat of cancellation. The department took 168 days to answer the RTI request, far exceeding the 30-day legal limit.
Mawphniang wants answers. He is demanding a review of the BEE requirements, an explanation for the evaluation delays, and a firm plan to cover the transformer shortfall before winter. He intends to take the fight to administrative and judicial forums to force accountability from the state government, MeECL, and MePDCL.
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