Transport, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Ľubomír Vážny (Smer-SD) said on October 21 that prolonging the public procurement process could – and in the case of the procurement of electronic toll system undubtedly has – lead to considerable economic damage.
In saying this, the minister justified the fast-tracked legislative process on the amendment to the Public Procurement Act that parliament has enacted.
"The aim of the government proposal is to prevent the institutionalisation of requests for rectification," Vážny said.
The legislation also tries to prevent other forms of abuse, through which the process of public procurement is being prolonged inappropriately.
"This subsequently causes an increase in financial and administrative expenditures," Vážny said.
But opposition MPs maintain that there is no reason for fast-tracked proceedings. The ulterior motive is to limit discussion on this proposal in parliament, according to KDH MP (and former justice minister) Daniel Lipšic. Opposition SDKÚ-DS caucus chairman Stanislav Janis said these developments are being connected with the effort to end the overpriced tender (and give it to a firm favoured in government circles) for the electronic toll system as soon as possible.
"No one has ever come up with such a change of the law that prevents the government from doing business," Janis said. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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