Ancillary units accuse BHEL of encouraging ‘non-serious players’

Ancillary units of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) have begun to feel the heat of “unviable and unrealistic” tender conditions and rates offered by the public sector unit to its vendors. There are reports that some of the units, which found it difficult to stay float because of new policy conditions and rock bottom rates, have drastically scaled down their operations in Tiruchi. Claiming that “new unrealistic conditions” have started wiping out the ancillary units, members of BHEL Small and Medium Industries Association (BHELSIA) suspended operations for a day on Thursday and came together to take out a rally, urging the BHEL to restore the old tender process and conditions. A large number of protesters, including owners of ancillary units and their employees, took part in a silent rally from Tiruverumbur to Ganesa Arch. They carried placards and banners, highlighting the survival issues faced by the units. A group of representatives later presented a memorandum to S. Gopinath, Executive Director, BHEL. “The rates given by BHEL for vendors are at rock bottom. It is unfortunate that the BHEL has finalised tenders with non-serious contenders. They cannot meet the requirements. ref: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/ancillary-units-accuse-bhel-of-encouraging-nonserious-players/article7640336.ece