Move to get outside contractors hits roadblock

Move to get outside contractors hits roadblock
VIjay Times

THE Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) Council’s resolution allowing contractors from Public W orks Department (PWD) and other agencies from anywhere in the country to participate in the BCC’s tender processes faces prospects of stiff opposition.

When B BV VT T spoke to a couple of contractors registered with the PWD , they were of the view that it was difficult for contractors from outside the state to take up works in the City as the local lobby was very strong here.

Meanwhile, contractors registered with the BCC at present were also unhappy with the resolution.

CONTRACTORS’ SAY

"It is very difficult for an outsider to take up BCC works. Unless the contractor joins hands with the local lobby here, he cannot survive. With heavy percentages to be parted with officials and local representatives, the contractor cannot do a quality job and will come under attack," Gopal, a leading Class I PWD contractor told B BV VT T. .

"Further , the BCC cannot completely rely on the credentials of contractors who participate from other states. And, I am sure our BCC officials will not bother to verify its genuineness. Either way , allowing outsiders to take up BCC works is not a welcome move and a wasted effort," he added.

Another leading PWD contractor from Mangalore, said,"I know that corruption is deep rooted in BCC. It will be difficult for any contractor to maintain the quality if he takes up BCC works and the reputation gets tarnished." "The BCC can get quality jobs done by the local contractors itself. Engineers from PSUs should be taken in. They will prove beneficial to the civic body . This will also reduce the burden on the contractor ," he added.

"The contractors cannot be completely blamed for the poor quality work. W e don t get the payments on time. Allowing contractors from other states to take up works here is not the solution to this problem. W e will join hands and take a decision as per the rules," an asphalt contractor registered with the BCC told B BV VT T . OFFICIAL SPEAK

Speaking to B BV VT T , BCC Engineer-inChief Ramegowda said that the resolution allowed for the participation of contractors registered with any public sector undertaking like the PWD, Railways, MES and the HAL in the BCC’s tender processes for infrastructure projects including road works.

Hitherto, only contractors registered with the BCC were eligible to participate in the tender processes. Now , other contractors, who participate in the tender processes, would have to register with the BCC if they were successful in bagging contracts, he said.

lPrior to 1985, contractors who were not registered with the BCC participated in the tender process. In a particular case, when a contractor was blacklisted, he approached the Court claiming that the civic body had no authority to blacklist him as he was not registered with it. The Court ruled in his favour . Following this, the BCC has made it mandatory for the contractors to get registered with it.

lAt present, there are 837 contractors registered with the BCC covering Classes IA, IB, II, III and IV grades.