Andhra Pradesh anti-corruption bureau probes tender manipulation at Guntur civic body

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated a formal inquiry into alleged tender irregularities at the Guntur Municipal Corporation in Andhra Pradesh. The investigation centres on systematic mismatches between tender data uploaded to the municipality's digital procurement system and the figures subsequently entered into executed work orders.

According to the ACB's preliminary findings, municipal officials allegedly manipulated tender percentages in official documentation to facilitate irregular payments. The bureau has identified instances where payments were released to contractors based on inflated or altered percentage figures that diverged significantly from those recorded in the e-procurement portal.

The discrepancies have resulted in quantifiable financial losses to the Guntur Municipal Corporation, though the exact amount remains under investigation. The ACB is examining whether the irregularities stemmed from administrative lapses or deliberate manipulation by officials involved in the tendering and payment approval processes.

This investigation adds to growing scrutiny of municipal procurement practices across India's urban local bodies. The case underscores the importance of digital transparency mechanisms in government contracting and the need for robust oversight of e-procurement systems to prevent financial leakage.