THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCO), which was terminated by the Kerala University from digitisation and archival of records, again finds place in the list of companies that came forward to implement the project.The name of companies that proposed to quote for tender has been published in the Kerala University website. Around 16 companies are in the list and one among them is SIDCO.A controversy had erupted over tendering of works for the second phase of digitisation and the University had disqualified SIDCO. The works for the first phase was given to SIDCO and they had digitalised 75,000 mark sheets of University examinations.The second phase of work was again awarded to SIDCO, at a cost of Rs 3 crore, which was terminated later. Now the University has again started the tender process for the entire digitisation work at a cost of Rs 20 crore and the last date for submitting applications is January 18.Kerala University Vice-Chancellor A Jayakrishnan said that as the tender was open, any company can participate in it. However, the selection would be made after scrutinising whether they have all the qualification as prescribed by the University.“An expert team from the University would verify all the documents and it would be transparent. All the details would be published in the website,” he said. The termination letter sent to SIDCO by the Registrar on November 11, 2011 states that the contract was awarded on specific understanding that the project would be completed using the same format and application system approved by the University during the pilot phase.Violating the agreement, it was found that SIDCO had not commenced the work even after one month of signing the MoU and issuance of work order. “It is observed that the explanation given by SIDCO is not satisfactory since the fact is that the procedures, if any, had to be completed before signing the agreement.Hence the sanction given by the Vice-Chancellor for digitisation of 15 lakh pages of tabulation sheets of examination is terminated for breach of contract,” the termination letter said. When contacted, SIDCO managing director Saji Basheer was not available for comment. In the first phase, SIDCO had given the work to a private agency which quoted the lowest amount and completed the formalities. The new tenders are slated to open on January 19.
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