WASHINGTON, September 26, 2024-The World Bank Group today announced the 15-month debarment of three India-based IT companies-Venus Softwares, Venus IT Solutions Private Limited, and Zytron Systems-in connection with collusive practices as part of the West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II in India.
The project aimed to strengthen the institutional and financial capacities of Gram Panchayats, which are local governing institutions, across West Bengal. According to the facts of the case, Venus Softwares, Venus IT Solutions Private Limited, and Zytron Systems, improperly coordinated the preparation and pricing of their bids with other bidders in tenders for contracts financed by the project, which are collusive practices according to the World Bank's Anti-Corruption Framework.
The debarment precludes the three companies from participating in Bank Group-financed projects and operations. As part of a settlement agreement, the companies acknowledge responsibility and agree to meet specified integrity compliance conditions as a requirement for release from debarment. For Venus Softwares, this includes developing bid preparation policies and procedures, and all three companies are required to develop compliance training programs, all of which must reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The companies also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency. The settlement agreement reduces the debarment periods due to the companies' cooperation and voluntary remedial actions.
The debarments of Venus Softwares, Venus IT Solutions Private Limited, and Zytron Systems, qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.
