GO 17 undermines social justice, says BRS; seeks immediate rollback

BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar demanded scrapping of GO 17, alleging it undermines social justice and excludes small contractors. He accused the Congress government of favouring close aides in procurement contracts and termed the policy a Rs 2,000-crore scam

Hyderabad: BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar on Thursday demanded the immediate cancellation of GO 17. He said the Congress government’s procurement policy was undermining social justice and hurting small contractors.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Praveen Kumar said the Congress had promised reservations in government contracts including 42 per cent for BCs, 18 per cent for SCs, and 12 per cent for STs, in its pre-election declarations. However, he said the party had failed to implement them even after over two years in power.

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The BRS leader alleged that the Congress government had introduced GO 17 in the name of national competitive bidding, to benefit close aides of Congress leaders supplying goods to schools and Gurukul institutions. He said stringent conditions such as Rs 10 crore-Rs 25 crore solvency certificates and additional requirements had effectively excluded small and medium contractors.

He termed these contracts a Rs 2,000-crore scam, accusing the government of sidelining BC, SC, ST and minority enterprises, while favouring large contractors and those close to the ruling party. He stated that the government had ignored High Court directions to modify the order.

Questioning the lack of reservation in procurement, Praveen Kumar cited States like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as examples of preferential policies for local and marginalised groups. He demanded immediate action and urged the Chief Minister to revoke GO 17 on Ambedkar Jayanti this month and ensure opportunities for small contractors.