Port Blair, Nov. 8: It has been attributed in some local dailies that the Directorate of tourism has included restrictive clauses in its tender document for engaging Event Managers for the upcoming Island Tourism Festival to discourage local event mangers from bidding.

In this connection the Directorate of IP&T has clarified that, “There is no clause in the said tender documents that discourages local event managers from bidding. In fact with a view to make a more enabling environment, the eligibility conditions set in the tender have been kept very minimum. Anyone who has organized two stage/ cultural events, whether in government or private sector in the last three years can participate in the tender. There is also no mention of any minimum turnover criteria. According to eligibility criteria No. 4 (v), preference is also given to firms having local office so that local entrepreneurs are encouraged”.

The Directorate further clarified that to enable more competition even from the small event managers, all 5 events ranging between Rs. 5 lakhs to 15 lakhs would be evaluated separately and can be won by anyone.

It was further stated that the estimate cost of the work is about 46 lakhs, which warrants publishing of the tender in National Newspapers as per GFR. It is also relevant to mention here that the evaluation bids are proposed to be done by a six-member committee, five of whom are from other departments.