Post-Op Sindoor, State Restricts Procurement From 'Certain' Countries

Amid the push for Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India in view of the changing geopolitical scenario, the state government has amended Odisha General Financial Rules (OGFR), 2023, enabling restrictions on procurement from certain countries.

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @Bhubaneswar

The amendments, notified by the Finance department on Thursday, authorized the state to bar procurement from bidders who are either based in or have commercial arrangements with entities from countries or classes of countries that may pose a risk to the defence of the country or matters related to national security.

The newly substituted rule-203 stated that no procurement shall be made in violation of such restrictions. Although the amendment does not name any country, officials said, it is a preemptive measure in response to the current global environment and security-related concerns raised at the national level.