Deccan Chronicle 26.05.2013
No more shoddy contractors: BBMP
Bengaluru: When
the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL)
distributes work to contractors, it does so based on quality. However,
the BBMP has observed that the KRIDL provisions are being flouted by
corporators, who give out projects only to a handful of favoured
contractors. The result, naturally, is shoddy work. The BBMP has
decided, therefore, to entrust work only in compliance with the
Transparency act and e-procurement.
Speaking
to Deccan Chronicle, BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah said that most of the
work is entrusted to KRIDL, which enjoys exemption under the Karnataka
Public Procurement and also from the Transparency Act.
From
now on, civic projects like asphalting, pothole filling, remodeling of
drains, construction and renovation of community halls and BBMP school
buildings will not be entrusted to KRIDL unless it is an emergency.
“Since there is scope for manipulation in the e-tendering process,
contractors who can pull strings are getting the projects for
themselves. Contractors for all infrastructure projects above Rs 5 lakh
will be picked only through e-procurement. This rules out manipulation.
There are chances that some contractors are being prevented from
participating in the e-tendering system. But, anybody can participate in
the e-procurement process. This gives rise to healthy competition,”
said Siddaiah.
According
to sources, the report submitted by the Technical Vigilance Cell under
the Commissioner (TVCC) pointed out that work carried out by the KRIDL
was of sub-standard quality. If the projects are entrusted to KRIDL, the
contractors who have a good rapport with corporators get the job.
Every
year, a minimum of Rs 175 crore (Mayor grants of Rs 150 crore and
deputy mayor grants of Rs 25 crore) are entrusted to KRIDL, which goes
to the contractors connected to corporators, said sources. Corporators
claim that the process of e-tendering and e-procurement takes a long
time for the projects to begin.
The
inside story, however, is that their supporters and followers might
lose the project. Under e-tendering and e-procurement, the contractor
who meets the technical qualifications and quotes the lowest price
should bag the project, added sources.
