Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 05:
While clarifying that only the eligible contractors with the lowest rate quotation have been selected in accordance with the laid down guidelines through an open tender for the road construction works under PMGSY scheme in Senapati district, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Md Allauddin Khan has asserted that there is no corruption in the selection of the contractors.
Talking to mediapersons at his office chamber in the New Secretariat building here today, the Minister appealed to the agitating Senapati District Contractors' Association to call off its proposed 48-hour National highway bandh over the issue.
The Minister explained that out of 58 packages to be taken up in the nine districts of the State under PMGSY Phase-V, 10 works have been allotted to Senapati district.
For selection of the contractors for executing these works, an open tender notice was published in National and local papers after which the open tender was held on May 5, 2006.After the sealed quotations were opened on August 29, 2006, only the eligible tenderers with the lowest rate quotation have been chosen.
Consequently, out of the 10 works allotted to Senapati district, four have been taken up by tribal contractors namely Jesse Kamei, LS Asheli, KS Baite and Maikho and the rest of the works by the non-tribal contractors.
The works allotted have to be completed within 18 months from the date of issued of the work orders.
So no corruption was involved in the selection of the contractors nor shown any disregard of the tribal population, the Minister clarified, adding that the Government has been giving top priority to the development of both the hills and the valley areas equally.
The Minister further informed that the Centre has approved the DPR submitted by the State Government on 26 packages with a total estimated cost of Rs 59.45 crores under the Phase-IV of the PMGSY which is now called Bharat Nirman.
Necessary report for obtaining the technical sanction has also been send.
So in view of the commitment of the Government for development of the hill districts and Senapati district in particular, the Senapati District Contractors' Association should call off its proposed agitation of calling National Highway bandh for 48-hour with effect from midnight of July 8, the Minister appealed.