The audit report which was sent to Maharashtra’s Public Works Department in October, was accessed by the Indian Express under the RTI (Right to Information) Act. In its report, as reported by the Indian Express, CAG stated that the state government’s decision to reduce the cost of the project by negotiating with the lowest bidder and changing the scope of work ‘vitiated the tendering procedure and defeated the objective of transparency in tendering process’.

The report further said that introducing change in the scope of work, while negotiating with the lowest bidder, is “tantamount to compromise on transparency, equity and fair treatment to all the participated bidders”.

Undue benefits to third parties

The report also noted that some clauses were deleted while issuing revised work order to L&T which can result in undue benefit to the contractor. The department has done away with a clause that compelled the contractor to execute phase II of the project at the same rates as phase I.

The ‘de-scoping’ of the project, also resulted in undue benefit of Rs. 9.61 crore to the Project Management Consultant (PMC) and additionally caused financial burden of Rs. 20.57 crore on the exchequer. Firms such as M/s Egis India Consulting Engineers Pvt Ltd and Design Associates were appointed as PMC for the project. Basically, the scope of the work of the PMC was reduced by excluding work of surveys, investigation and testing, etc. Ideally, the remuneration to PMC should have been reduced in such a situation, however, the State government approved the previous remuneration of Rs. 82.46 crore and rejected the Public Works Department (PWD) Chief Engineer’s suggestion of paying PMCs Rs. 72.85 crore. Hence, the unexplained undue benefit to the PMC.

No penalty, only incentive

The PWD had also not included a penalty clause in the contract agreement of PMC thus resulting in a more favourable arrangement for them. Ironically there was a clause for incentive for timely completion of work but no penalty for delay in completion of work.

No response from PWD

While CAG sought a response from PWD, it said it had not studied the report yet. As per the report, PWD’s improper planning led to increase in cost of the project by Rs. 81 crore.

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SILCHAR: The three-day 41st State conference of PWD Workers’ Union concluded here at the Gandhi Bhavan after deliberations among the leaders and workers for their resolution. The opening session itself, presided over by Anil Rajkumar, the keynote speeches  raised crucial issues related to working conditions of this sector.

More than 4,000 employees of the department stand in need of regularisation for their better sustenance to end their financial difficulties. Section assistants are deprived of grade pay, giving the sense of discrimination and negligence. The employees demand leave travel concession and retention. They face acute problem of accommodation. There is virtually a sort of disorder in providing accommodation to them. Those who retire refuse to vacate their quarters. Some employees after retirement rent their quarters to others. Concerted voice has been raised from the conference to pressure the government to resolve them.

The Workers’ Union has hailed the signature project initiated by the Sarbananda Sonowal government which makes provision for allotment of Rs 10 crore to each constituency. It is a novel project that aims at construction and repair of roads for better connectivity and for easy and fast movement. The work has already started which keeps in mind the greenery and ecology with plantations along the roads. Demand has also been focussed on filling up posts left vacant following retirement. This has become a major irritant for the functioning of the department.

Kabindra Purkayastha former Union Minister, MLAs Dilip Kumar Paul and Amar Chand Jain in identical tone spoke of the commitment of the Sonowal government to develop the two valleys equally.This has been on the top of the agenda. Road development is essential for economic boost up. They assured the leaders of the Union and workers their demands would be brought before the state and expect positive outcome. They at the same time laid stress on both way cooperation between the State and the employees. This will pace up development works. The conference was graced by State president, Debajit Debroy, VP Bijoy Kumar Dutta and general secretary, Chandra Kanta Saikia.

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Image courtesy: Mangalam

She later withdrew her protest when concerned officers assured that they would take action and repair the roads.

But when she left the premises, a group of Youth congress reached the spot and sprinkled water and cow dung to ‘purify’ the place where Geetha Gopi had sat. They also took a march against her earlier before reaching the PWD office.

Geetha has filed a complaint with the police and a FIR has been lodged booking the youth congress workers under the provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Leaders of other parties and state ministers condemned this act saying such acts are not acceptable.

Courtesy: Two Circle
 
 

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