PWD clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 10 2015 :
The State PWD has denied fraudulent procedure in the tender process for allotment of contract works for periodic renewal of Singjamei - MU section of Imphal-Moreh highway.
Referring to the news carried in The Sangai Express on June 8, Additional Chief Engineer (ACE) -1 of PWD, N Noren clarified that the contract works for the periodic renewal of the highway stretch was not allotted through fraudulent means.
Addressing media persons at his office chamber today, N Noren said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), ' Govt of lndia sanctioned Rs 4.16 crore for periodic renewal of the highway stretch.
As per the sanction, tender process was held through proper channels.
All documents relating to the tender are with the department, he said while adding that the process was held through e-tender.
There were four bidders for the contract works.
After the technical evaluation, the letter of acceptance was given to one Md Nashir Shah of Kairang Awang Leikai, a special class contractor on March 30, Noren said.
However.
MoRTH de-sanctioned the contract on May 29 after signing the contract and even after the commencement of the work, the ACE said.
Besides, the Ministry had intimated the contractor concerned to stall execution of the work in the first week of June.
He also pointed out that a letter was also sent to the Director General of MoRTH urging to withdraw the de-sanctioning order saying legal complicacy may arise in doing so.
He further said that the tender process was conducted as per the Manipur Schedule of Rates 2013.There is no revised schedule rates for 2014.The schedule rates for 2014 is planned to be brought out this year, he said.
There was instance of a complaint lodged with the Ministry by a Ghaziabad based M/S Woodhills Infrastructures Pvt Ltd, which is among the four bidders for the particular contract work, he said.
Woodhills, without mentioning their technical shortcomings, lodged"a complaint about the selection process to the Ministry, Noren said.
The fact is that the bank guarantee given by Oriental Bank of Commerce, Ghaziabad to the Woodhills firm is only till 2015 while the Dept requires such bank guarantee till 2016, he added.