‘Observe strict monitoring mechanism’

Class-I government registered contractors have urged the government to strictly put in place a monitoring mechanism while awarding contract to tender bidders as was usually the norm in the civil contract business. The class-I government registered contractors expressed this view while attending a meeting to discuss bidding process through “National Highway e-Tendering” related to Improvement of Riding Quality Programme (IRQP) and PR (Periodical Repair) works in the state on Friday at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.
The meet deliberated and highlighted recent instance of tender bidding process. The contractors informed that winning the contract bids were those who quoted the lowest possible amount against the estimated cost of a certain project. They also highlighted some of the issues they faced.  “Unofficial tax deductions before the actual execution of work, further slashing down the amount involved ultimately affected quality of work”, they argued.
It was also learnt that the road improvement project work of 27 Kms on NH-155 starting 150 to 177 Kms under National Highway Division, Tuensang, tender was valued more than Rs. 15.87 Crores.  The tender notice inviting online bids appeared in November 2013 where nine bidders participated in the bidding. The work was allotted to the bidder quoting an amount, 30.5 percent below the schedule of rate, they said.
The winning bid was Rs. 11, 05, 50, 639 and the stated amount, according to the contractors, would not meet the actual cost involved as they felt that the unsolicited tax deductions reaching as high as 20 percent of the total amount would further reduce the fund sanctioned for the project. This they contractors argued would leave the contractors with no option but to compromise on the quality of work.  Meanwhile, seasonal chairman Neangba Konyak and seasonal secretary C. Renpanthung Ezung have requested the Class-I government registered contractors participating in the NH-61 and 155 e-tendering related to IRQP &PR works to attend a meeting March 15, 2 p.m. at Hotel Japfü, Kohima.