Despite poll code, court nod to SCB fire safety tender process

Cuttack: The Orissa high court on Wednesday said the tender process for installation of fire-fighting system in 33 buildings of SCB Medical College and Hospital here can be completed by its order even when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force.
The high court was taking stock of the progress of installation of fire-fighting system in SCBMCH (where 33 out of 85 buildings require fire safety certificates) as part of a PIL on inadequate fire safety measures at the premier medical institution.
Advocate Ajay Mohanty was representing Maitree Sansad – a city-based private organisation that filed the petition.
In an affidavit filed on Wednesday, director general (fire and emergency services) Sudhanshu Sarangi, who was also present in court in person, stated that the health and family welfare department and finance department had on request of PWD accorded the required approval for all projects.
The tender process for installation of the fire-fighting system in the 33 buildings has been initiated by inviting tenders. But the bids could not be opened on March 16, 2024 as the MCC came into force from that day.
The chief electoral officer (CEO), Odisha, has been requested through a letter on April 19, 2024, to accord permission to open the bid by waiver of the restrictions.
The finalisation of tender and execution of work will be taken up after getting permission from the CEO, Odisha, or when the restriction of Model Code of Conduct for General Election-2024 is lifted on June 4, 2024, Sarangi stated in the affidavit.
However, the two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice M S Raman said, “Since this matter is of immense public importance concerning lives of patients undergoing treatment, doctors, paramedical attendants and all concerned in one of the biggest hospitals of Odisha, we observe that if no permission is granted by the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha by May 17, 2024, the tender may be directed to be opened under the order of this court.”
“List this matter on 20.05.2024 to be taken up at 2.00 pm,” the bench said and directed the state counsel Debakanta Mohanty to communicate the order to the chief electoral officer, Odisha forthwith.