Chandigarh, March 1 -- Allotment of a tender for lifting riverbed material (RBM) extracted from the Ravi at Shahpur Kandi in Pathankot district has come under cloud.

As per records and agreements, accessed by the HT, one of the firms was allotted tender at an abnormally low rate of Rs.5.60 per cubic feet as compared to Rs.13.50 per cubic feet price set in the detailed notice inviting tender (DNIT). Officials familiar with the matter have pegged the loss to the state exchequer at Rs.25 crore.

One of the companies, who has been allotted the tender at Rs.13.60, has written to the principal secretary water resources that they are ready to lift the entire material at the DNIT rate.

"We have already deposited advance payment of Rs.2 crore wi...