Even as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was firmly in force across Nagpur city and surrounding local bodies ahead of crucial civic elections, both the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and state government departments went ahead with issuing fresh tenders and administrative notices involving substantial financial commitments, raising serious questions over adherence to election norms.
As per the official election schedule, the MCC came into effect within Nagpur Municipal Corporation limits from 5 pm on December 15, while in Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayat areas, the code had already been enforced before the beginning of this month and will continue till counting on December 21. Despite these clear restrictions, official records show that 11 procurement-related actions were initiated during the MCC period.
These include 10 tenders floated by various divisions of the Public Works Department (PWD)—published on December 16 and December 17, largely after 5 pm—and, notably, one Expression of Interest (EOI issued by NMC itself), all after the MCC had come into force in the respective election-bound areas. The involvement of the civic body has drawn particular attention, as municipal authorities are expected to exercise maximum restraint during elections.
Among the major tenders issued during this period were a ₹33.60-lakh contract for pump operators and allied manpower at Ravinagar and a ₹16.86-lakh tender for computer operators, laboratory assistants and security staff at a government laboratory in Sadar, both published on December 17. At the MLA Hostel, contracts worth ₹36.80 lakh (manpower services), ₹16.26 lakh (security guards) and ₹61.67 lakh (housekeeping) were issued on the same day.
The PWD Electrical Division also issued several infrastructure-related tenders on December 16, including works of ₹25 lakh and ₹20 lakh at Parsenior Bhawan, and a ₹17-lakh tender for an eight-passenger lift—all classified as routine, non-emergency works.
Adding to the controversy, the NMC Social Development Department issued an EOI at 5:45 pm on December 15, barely minutes after the MCC came into force in city limits, inviting NGOs for empanelment for social development, survey and rehabilitation-related activities.
Election guidelines clearly state that the MCC applies to the election-bound area, irrespective of whether the issuing authority is municipal or state-run. With no public clarification from either NMC or PWD on whether Election Commission approval was obtained, the developments raise a pointed question: if the MCC binds political actors, why are government institutions themselves appearing to test its limits?
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com