Thiruvananthapuram: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) on Tuesday conducted a surprise check at the Kerala Bank headquarters in connection with alleged irregularities in the tender process for the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras and burglar-alarm systems at the bank’s branches across the state.The surprise check was carried out by the VACB’s special investigation unit-II in Thiruvananthapuram on the basis of source information, vigilance sources said.The agency is examining the tender records and the procedure followed by the bank in finalising the contract, with particular focus on the circumstances in which a single tender came to be considered. According to vigilance sources, only a single tender was available when the contract was finalised. The agency is looking into how the tender was processed and whether the prescribed procedure was followed in accepting it.Normally, a single tender is not finalised and the procuring agency goes for re-tendering. However, it is not clear whether the tender in question had only one bidder when it was first invited or whether there was only one bidder even after the tender was re-invited. Vigilance is examining the records to establish this.Kerala Bank’s own records show that it had initiated a tender process for CCTV and burglar-alarm systems earlier this year. A tender issued in March covered the supply, installation, testing and commissioning and annual maintenance of CCTV and burglar-alarm systems. The proposed work covered about 317 branches and offices in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts.The March tender was subsequently cancelled, according to Kerala govt’s e-tender records. The bank subsequently issued another e-tender in July. The vigilance check is understood to be aimed at examining whether the prescribed tendering procedures were followed in awarding the contract and whether there were any irregularities in the decision-making process.Vigilance officials examined relevant records and documents at the bank headquarters as part of the preliminary verification. Further action is likely to be decided on the basis of the findings of the examination. No official communication was available from Kerala Bank on Tuesday on the vigilance action or the allegations being examined.
