The Times of India 22.06.2010
GHMC corporators at it again
HYDERABAD: After seeking Rs one crore corporator’s budget, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) standing committee members are demanding that they have the final say in approval of tenders. However, the commissioner rejected their demand.
The standing committee members (corporators) reportedly made this demand during the first meeting of GHMC standing committee held here on Monday. The members asked GHMC commissioner Sameer Sharma to write to the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department on their demand.
As per the GHMC Act, the standing committee has powers to give administrative sanction for tenders between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 50 lakh works taken up by the government. As their job ends with sanction, the commissioner calls for tenders and finalises them. Works below Rs 20 lakh could be sanctioned by the commissioner without consulting any committee. If the works are above Rs 50 lakhs, administrative sanction has to be given by the MA&UD but it has to be forwarded through the standing committee and the GHMC council.
The tenders for above Rs 50 lakh are finalised by a tender committee, comprising GHMC engineer-in-chief, GHMC chief engineer, chief engineer of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Public Health.
“The members are demanding for tender approval powers. But, as per the government orders, GHMC Act and even opinion given by the Advocate General (AG) in 2003, their demand is unjust and against the rules,” a senior GHMC official said.
Meanwhile, the GHMC standing committee has appointed an adhoc committee for supervising desilting and widening of nalas (storm water drains).
The committee, which comprises Diddi Rambabu (Barkatpura), Ravula Sheshgir (Gajula Ramaram), K Sahadev (Kurmaguda), M A Gaffer (Doodbowli) and Baburao Pagudala (Moosapet).
Briefing the media after the first GHMC standing committee meeting, GHMC mayor and chairperson of the standing committee Banda Karthika Reddy said the committee would first give a report on desiltation works of nalas and would take up widening works which would be completed in another two months.
It may be recalled that the issue of desiltation of nalas was discussed at the recently held GHMC general council meeting. Corporators alleged that not even 40 per cent desiltation of nalas was completed, while the officials claimed that they had completed 80 per cent of the works.
“The adhoc committee will submit a report to the standing committee. If any official or contractor is found to be at fault or responsible for improper works, action will be taken against them,” the mayor added.
The standing committee members (corporators) reportedly made this demand during the first meeting of GHMC standing committee held here on Monday. The members asked GHMC commissioner Sameer Sharma to write to the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department on their demand.
As per the GHMC Act, the standing committee has powers to give administrative sanction for tenders between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 50 lakh works taken up by the government. As their job ends with sanction, the commissioner calls for tenders and finalises them. Works below Rs 20 lakh could be sanctioned by the commissioner without consulting any committee. If the works are above Rs 50 lakhs, administrative sanction has to be given by the MA&UD but it has to be forwarded through the standing committee and the GHMC council.
The tenders for above Rs 50 lakh are finalised by a tender committee, comprising GHMC engineer-in-chief, GHMC chief engineer, chief engineer of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Public Health.
“The members are demanding for tender approval powers. But, as per the government orders, GHMC Act and even opinion given by the Advocate General (AG) in 2003, their demand is unjust and against the rules,” a senior GHMC official said.
Meanwhile, the GHMC standing committee has appointed an adhoc committee for supervising desilting and widening of nalas (storm water drains).
The committee, which comprises Diddi Rambabu (Barkatpura), Ravula Sheshgir (Gajula Ramaram), K Sahadev (Kurmaguda), M A Gaffer (Doodbowli) and Baburao Pagudala (Moosapet).
Briefing the media after the first GHMC standing committee meeting, GHMC mayor and chairperson of the standing committee Banda Karthika Reddy said the committee would first give a report on desiltation works of nalas and would take up widening works which would be completed in another two months.
It may be recalled that the issue of desiltation of nalas was discussed at the recently held GHMC general council meeting. Corporators alleged that not even 40 per cent desiltation of nalas was completed, while the officials claimed that they had completed 80 per cent of the works.
“The adhoc committee will submit a report to the standing committee. If any official or contractor is found to be at fault or responsible for improper works, action will be taken against them,” the mayor added.
