Fri Jan 03 18:26:36 UTC 2025: ## Puducherry Flower Show Procurement Under Scrutiny Amidst Allegations of Rule Violations
**Puducherry, January 4, 2025** – The Bangaaru Vaickal Neeradhara Koottamaippu, a farmers and water rights collective, has accused the Puducherry government of violating procurement rules in its preparations for the 35th annual flower show. The collective alleges irregularities in the purchase of potted flowers for the event, scheduled to take place across Puducherry, Karaikal, and Yanam.
The government allocated ₹1.10 crore, ₹50 lakh, and ₹35 lakh for the flower shows in the respective regions. However, the Department of Agriculture, headed by the Director, bypassed established government procedures by procuring potted flowers directly from select nurseries in Pune, Maharashtra, instead of utilizing local resources or following tender procedures.
V. Chandrasekhar, president of the collective, stated in a letter to Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan that the usual committee responsible for overseeing the flower show’s arrangements, headed by the Additional Director of Agriculture, has not yet been formed. Furthermore, the post of Additional Director of Horticulture has remained vacant for six months.
The collective points out that the government’s own nursery in Lawspet typically produces over 50,000 potted flowers annually. The Department has failed to disclose this year’s stock levels or issue tenders for additional flower purchases, fueling concerns about transparency and potential irregularities in the procurement process.
Mr. Chandrasekhar urged the government to intervene and ensure strict adherence to procurement procedures for the upcoming flower show. The allegations have raised concerns about potential misuse of public funds and the bypassing of established protocols.
First Piper 