SHILLONG, AUG 2: Contractors under the banner of the All Meghalaya Contractors & Supplier Association (AMCSA) said that the Meghalaya government must reduce the criteria for applying bid with regards to its project proposed for improving the infrastructural standards of more than 127 secondary schools in the state.
The demand was made as the government will soon float the first phase of the Rs 40 crore tender for 25 schools under the ‘Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya Project’ funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).
AMCSA president Gilbert G Laloo said,“We demand the government to reduce the criteria for applying of the bid for the project so that maximum contractors can be part of the bidding for the project.”
Reminding chief minister Mukul Sangma recent statement that the project is also part of the effort to enhance employability to local people, Laloo however said, “But if the government is offering such a big package, this will indirectly be discouraging local contractors from the state as it is beyond their capability.” He said this can also be seen as nothing but opening up opportunity to big business tycoons and encourage favourtism.”
Earlier, the officials from both state government and ADB have convened a meeting with the contractors from the state to discuss the implementation of the project.
Laloo informed that at the meeting, the contractors have expressed their resentment on the decision and have urged both the authorities to re-consider the package.
The association further suggested the state government to reconsider the package to Rs 1.30 crore for one school instead of Rs 40 crores which benefit only few people. “We want equal participation of bids,” Laloo said.
Stating that there is lack of transparency in the manner the project is being implemented, Dino DG Dympep said, “The government is yet to announce the panel of selection committee to identify the beneficiary schools.”
Dympep said the attitude of the government has always been discouraging towards the contractors in term of big projects, he said, “That is why many projects suffer from delays, cost overrun and poor quality of work. He said a case in point is the Housing Complex at Nongmynsong which was abandoned by a company from outside. – By Our Reporter
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