Tendering for Purchasing of Books.

[O. P. Saini]

A senior Administrative official raised a question, why not invite tenders or quotations for purchasing of Books in the Library. Though I have given a suitable answer, yet there are some doubts to me in this regard. Would any one share their views ??

[Manoj Kumar Khator]

Dear Saini ji

If official want to purchase the books by tendering . So follow the procedure (But  in the case of books there is no need to go with this tendering process because the book dont have double or triple discount i.e. if book rate is 4200 then it will not come in 2100 or less so percentage of discount are fix ). So tendering will be possible if the asking books are in lacs or the purchase amount is higher. In this case , quality may not be come.

After asking for lac of books by tendering you  may have to go for less discount person and approve the tender by higher authority.

 

[Hemanta Gogoi]

Sir,

For me, for a huge amount of money (lac, crore) for purchasing of library materials , tendering may be justifiable. But for less amount, it will be wastage of time and labour.

[Dr.L.M.Khan]

Dear O.P. Saini

first of all it's your duty to mention your view their because you want to know the view of other. Please follow the basic rule of knowing information.

[prabha Tendolkar]

Mr saini

Calling for tenders in purchase of  books ist generally not  reccomanded.but some times higher officials they insist about tender.the rate of the books will be same but discount and avaibility of books with vendor and duration of supply also has to be considered while calling tenders.l

[O. P. Saini]

First of all Namstey Sir,

I hope u r in good health and happiness...

I regretted for not to following basic rule of information sharing.

As regard to my view, I believe that there is no need for tender process for books and periodicals, etc. We first registered reputed book venders, then as per demands and recommendations by respective departments. A committee for this purpose is constituted that decides to whom the order has to placed. A particular budget limits also set by this committee. The committee also ensure an equal opportunity for all the venders.

[Siddhartha Shankar Ray]

Dear Sri O.P. Saini,

Thanks for your post that addresses an well established yet mostly unknown issue. 

Tendering for purchase of Books (and subscription of Journals) IS NOT MANDATORY. The Government of India (Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure) has a specific rules in this respect [O.M. No. F23(7). EII (A)/83 dated 07/2/1984]. It is held that "...the books are not store item..... Librarians may purchase books etc., from reputed and standard booksellers on the prevalent terms and conditions. Tenders need not be called for this purpose...." the rules says.

You can go through the MuthuSwamy's book of General Finacial Rules and can see it by yourself.

Especially it is dangerous to go for tenders for subscription of Journals.

Because you need to pay in advance for subscription and in tenders, the lowest bidders are generally selected. Fake Subscription Agencies often quotes lower prices and lucrative terms to grab the order and once payment is received they often vanishes. I am mentioning it on record. In Calcutta many Medical Colleges were victims of such cheating during early '80s when a particular Subscription Agency bagged order on the basis of tendering and cheated several institutes. Even some Central Government Research Institutes were pray of such incidents. I experienced such incident in my early stage of service life in an ICMR Institute at Calcutta. Before my joining to that institute ( I joined in the later part of the year) subscription for that year was paid to that particular Subscription Agency who even managed to produce Bank Guarantee!! and I had quite a tough experience to realize the amount with legal and administrative help!! I was extremely lucky to have a quite dynamic Director of the Institute at that time who put full pressure and administrative supports for my effort but many institutes were victims of this cheating. So all concerned should be very careful.

Sincerely,

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta