Chandigarh, July 8 -- The high-powered purchase committee (HPPC), headed by chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, approved developmental works and procurement of goods worth Rs.340 crore, an official spokesperson said. The HPPC meeting was followed by the high powered works purchase committee (HPWPC) meeting that was held late on Monday evening in which detailed negotiations were held with the bidders to reduce the quoted rates, resulting in savings of over Rs.15 crore expenditure, the spokesperson said. In the HPWPC, total 10 agenda items with a total estimated value of over Rs.259 crore were tabled. While one proposal was deferred, the remaining nine proposals (Rs.226 crore) were taken up. "The successful negotiations with bidders brought down the approved cost to about Rs.218 crore, resulting in savings of about Rs.8 crore," the spokesperson said.htc...