Bardiya, May 28:

The government and Maoists have separately invited tenders for the operation of a steamer at Kothiyaghat in the Karnali river.

While no one sent sealed tenders called by the Bardiya district development committee for the operation of the steamer, two bids were filed for the contract call issued by the Maoists.

The steamer provides transportation to some 100,000 people from 11 VDCs of Rajapur area.

Local Development Officer Gopal Prasad Aryal said nobody filed tender for the two invitations made by the DDC. Today was the last day for filing the tenders.

“We have been exploring options as to what can be done now. The DDC may operate the steamer,” he said.

It is learnt that the Maoists had issued warnings against filing the tenders by the DDC.

We warn all not to respond to the tender bid issued by old government. We will dismiss the contract and initiate action as per the policy of the peoples’ government against anyone who ignores this notice and gets the contract from the old government, a letter by chief of the Tharuwan Autonomous Republic Nepal, Area Peoples’ Council, Bhawara, Shiv Tharu, said.

Meanwhile, contractors here have accused the Maoists of awarding the contract to operate the steamer to one Bhojelal Chaudhary on the condition that he pay Rs 3,101 every day. They say Chaudhary does not meet the preconditions set by the tender notice called by the Maoists.