NRIDA guideline deterring local contractors: Forum
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 09 2025: All Manipur Contractors' Association Forum convenor Thangjam Somarendra has alleged that the guideline of National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) is being violated to prevent local contractors from bagging Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Phase-Ill related works.

In a press meet held at the Association's office at PWD Complex, Khoyathong on Friday, Somarendra contended release of the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for PMGSY Phase-III contained various unreasonable guidelines while missing the Standard Biding Document of NRIDA.

Guidelines, such as, making it mandatory for local contractors to include unnecessary machines, which are not in possession of the contractors, was added for 55 works under Phase-III.

Other guidelines include having the machine to lay two feet blacktop instead of the two inch blacktop and laboratory equipment for every work.

If a contractor bags more than one tender, then they would have to purchase equipment for every work, he conveyed.

The convenor continued that the local contractors had barely recovered from the coronavirus pandemic when all their equipment was burned during the conflict.

As such, incorporating such guidelines amid the distressing condition would prevent the local contractors from taking on any work.

It can be only assumed that the unreasonable guidelines were introduced to facilitate companies from outside the state, Somarendra opined.

He pointed out that the local contractors are already facing problems including having their bills withheld by contractors, or having part of their bills deducted, while the contractors are left to pay the full GST amount.

Furthermore, despite NRIDA's instructions to clear all bills within two weeks, the files have been held back for a long time.

Although the holdup should not exist under the President's Rule, the files are still being held up as the officials wait to get a cut or percentage 'of the total amount, Somarendra alleged.

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