Suvendu Govt mandates fresh tenders 3 months before expiry, bans unauthorized contract extensions

The Government of West Bengal has issued a strict circular regarding the timely initiation of tenders for engaging agencies and the prevention of unauthorized contract extensions. The memo notes that various government departments and offices frequently seek extensions for existing agency contracts. Some authorities have even been granting these extensions without prior consultation with the Finance Department, which the state views as a compromise to competitive bidding integrity.

To ensure absolute fairness and transparency, the Governor has directed all procuring authorities to float fresh tenders at least three months prior to the expiration of any existing contract. Heads of Departments are now mandated to conduct monthly reviews of all active contracts and share the comprehensive list directly with the Finance Department. The state government explicitly clarified that proposals for extending or renewing existing contracts will not be entertained under any circumstances when the request stems from a lack of timely due diligence.

Furthermore, the new directive stipulates that any unauthorized extension of contracts or delays in floating fresh tenders will be treated as a serious breach of financial discipline and penalized accordingly. These regulatory guidelines apply uniformly to all local bodies, State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), statutory bodies, and other parastatals under provincial jurisdiction. Heads of Departments and subordinate offices will be held personally responsible for ensuring complete compliance with the order, which takes effect immediately in the public interest.