Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 21

The ongoing curbs on Internet services in the Kashmir valley took its toll today with the mechanical division of the state government cancelling an online bid it had invited despite the shutdown after it failed to receive any response.

The e-tender for the supply of tyres with tubes and flaps for snow clearing machines of the mechanical divisions of Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla was cancelled “due to no response”, Executive Engineer Abdul Rashid Bhat said in a notification. The official said the e-tender notice was issued on September 4.

The cancellation comes at a time when Internet and mobile phone services are down in the Valley following the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370, giving special powers to the state, on August 5.

The suspension has made it almost impossible for contractors to bid online for tenders.

In the recent days, the state government has issued dozens of e-tenders for works like construction and upgrade of roads, culverts and drains. In many cases, those eligible have been instructed to submit their bids in online format only.

On Saturday, the Wular Conservation and Management Authority, Kashmir, issued an e-tender to increase the water-holding capacity of the largest freshwater lake in north Kashmir. The authority said it had invited online global tenders for dredging and excavation of the lake and its feeder channel, and notified that it would not be responsible for any delay in online submission of the bid.