India, April 4 -- In a significant step towards ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in public works, the Flood Control & Irrigation Department has introduced a key reform in the tendering process by making the submission of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) completely online.

Earlier, bidders were required to physically deposit EMD at the office where the project was located. This system often led to unnecessary interfaces, potential information leaks, and concerns regarding fairness in the bidding process, Minister of Irrigation and Flood Control Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Friday.

Under the new system, EMD will now be accepted only through online mode, and bidders will upload a scanned copy on the e-procurement portal along ...