Contractors not to submit tender below schedule
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 24 2023:
While announcing the unanimous decision of the contractors not to submit tenders for PMGSY or other contract works, below schedule; Manipur Hills and Plain Contractor' Association has urged authorities concerned to give priority to local contractors in projects taken up in the state instead of non-local companies, except for those which cannot be taken up by the local contractors.
Speaking to newspersons after holding a meeting of the Association at Manipur Press Club here on Monday, Association VP Ningthoujam Kumar Meitei informed that when submitting tenders for PMGSY or Other contractual works, many contractors quote estimates which are way lower than the required total expenses of the work.
This, in turn, results in failing to maintaining quality of the work and issues of delayed completion.
He continued that there are instances of those in government being involved in controversies about funds being released without any work done, considering the contractors alone cannot withdraw/cash the funds.
Thus, there is the need for concerted efforts to rectify this flaw in the system, which will then ensure quality work in all projects concerning the state, he asserted.
Stating that the unanimous decision taken by the contractors not to submit tenders below the schedule is to ensure equal and quality work; the VP, however, clarified that the decision is not final, as it will be forwarded to the minister and the department concerned.
Once an agreement is reached on the matter with the authorities, quality will be maintained in all of the works, thereby ushering in speedy development in the state, he contended.
Kumar then informed that any out-of-state company wanting to take up contract work in the state, should be registered within the state.
Unfortunately, those with connections often bring in non-local companies to do the work, displaying their trust of the companies over local contractors.
To prevent this situation, all contractors of the state should be united.
Only those works, which are out of the scope of expertise of local contractors, can be allowed to be taken over by non-local companies.
However, the priority of the projects/works should still be given to local contractors, since this will also help in augmenting revenue of the state.
Thus, he urged the state government to look into this matter, while also cautioning that the Association is ready to "defend" against anyone objecting to its decision.