MoRTH quizzes State PWD over de-sanctioned road work
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 20 2015 :
After the amount sanctioned for deve-lopment of Singjamei-Can- chipur section of Imphal-Moreh highway was de-sanc- tioned, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has fired a number of questions to the State PWD regarding tender process of the particular contract work.
MoRTH sanctioned two contract works for development of Imphal-Moreh high- way under periodic renewal during 2014-15 .
The first contract work is for development of Tangjeng-Thoubal and Khongjom- Kakching Lamkhai sections of Imphal-Moreh highway.
The second work is for development of the same highway between Singjamei and Canchipur (Manipur University main gate) .
|
As the sanctioned amount for the first contract was over Rs five crore, the e-tender process was done together with the Ministry's regional officials based at Guwahati.
But for the second work, the tender process was handled by the State PWD alone as the sanctioned amount was less than Rs five crore.
One firm who bid for both the works was rejected in the course of technical evaluation done for the second work by State PWD.
Even though the firm submitted same set of documents, it was not disqualified in the e-tender pro- cess done together with MoRTH officials for the first contract work.
Upset with the rejection, the firm lodged a complaint with relevant officials of MoRTH and the matter ultimately reached MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Subsequent upon the complaint, MoRTH Assistant Executive Engineer (NE Region) sent a written intimation to the State PWD on May 28 informing that the amount sanctioned for development of Singjamei-Canchipur section of Imphal-Moreh highway has been de-sanctioned.
After the contract work was de-sanctioned, the Assistant Executive Engineer (NE Region) raised a set of nine questions to the PWD Additional Chief Engineer -I regarding the tender process of the de-sanctioned work.
An official letter sent on June 18 asked the Additional Chief Engineer-I to answer the nine questions as soon as possible.
The Ministry has been asking as to why the technical bid submitted by M/s Woodhill Infrastructure Ltd was not considered and what was the lowest quote.
Details of the committee for technical evaluation should be furnished along with the supporting Government orders.
As per the complaint received, the Additional Chief Engineer has the power to accept tender up to Rs 2 crore only, the Ministry's letter pointed before questioning whether the Additional Chief Engineer has the power to accept the tender for development of Singjamei-Canchipur section of the highway.
Seeking minutes of the meeting of committee of technical evaluation and financial evaluation, it asked whether all members of the relevant tender committee constituted by the State Government participated in the meeting.
It went on to ask whether the constitution of the technical evaluation committee for tendering was in accordance with Government of Manipur, Secretariat, Works Department letter no 26/6/2013-W dated 17/11/2014 .
A statement giving details of the case in chronological order since sanctioning of the work should be furnished.
Further, details of such tenders of less than Rs five crore may also be furnished to review all such cases in the Ministry, it further demanded.