Q. The State Civil Supplies Corporation has been entrusted with the task of moving kerosene needed for PDS system from district to tehsil and sub-tehsil towns. For this purpose, it had to finalize transport tenders for each district. In one of the districts, the tender rates received were very high and the managing director of the corporation decides to call fresh tenders. However, in tenders received initially which the managing director (MD) decides to reject as they were too high, the lowest rate is from the supporter of the cabinet minister for civil supplies. Citing the need of rushing supplies urgently to rural areas, the minister asks the managing director to accept the lowest tender. The minister further argues that it would be procedurally correct. Fearing likely audit objections and their fallout, the managing director refuses to do so. When the minister insists, the managing director asks him to send him written orders. The minister accuses the officer of being bureaucratic and sticky. What can we say about the reaction of the MD in this case? The MD’s behaviour is bureaucratic and rule bound. The MD’s stand is justified. The MD is ignoring the inconvenience his action will cause to the public. The MD has first delayed procurement, and is then creating further difficulties.