DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 9 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organization (NVCO) has informed that following the State Government’s response to its fight against exorbitant rates in contract work, the Chief Engineer PWD(R&B) Nagaland cancelled three (3) work orders awarded to M/s National Construction & brought down the rates to Schedule of Rate (SOR) NPWD 2010 by reducing the Tender Amount of Rs.4813.49 lakhs to Rs.1890.60 lakhs and thereby saving Rs.2422.89 lakhs. This was informed in a press note issued by Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate & President NVCO.
Earlier the NVCO informed that it had on 1st September, 2012 submitted to the State Governor a representation under the subject - “NVCO demand to rectify the exorbitant rates awarded to the contractors/firms for the construction of 8 (nine) nos of RCC Bridges under Special Packages(SPA) for Eastern Nagaland (Mon, Tuesang, Longleng & Kiphire) during 2012-13 & 2013-14 and bring them at par with the other contractors rate as per NPWD Schedule of Rates 2010 (Roads & Bridges) to avail the same rate, same term and conditions, so as to bring justice and Equality in the society”.
The NVCO claims that the works was allotted in violation of tender norms both NPWD & CPWD Code and in total violation of all ethics of technicality. It was further awarded with special terms & conditions such as “all the sales tax & contract tax as applicable shall be paid extra by the department”. According to the NVCO if the Project is followed and maintained according to the Contract Agreement Clause as per NPWD Code the State Govt. would be getting revenue of 7.035% of the Total Project Cost. “Hence the State Revenue is at a loss of huge crores of rupees and now the question is who shall be held responsible to pay such a huge amount?”
It was further disclosed that without call of open tender, the Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Nagaland has awarded the works namely : i) Construction of 19.00 M long RCC Bridge over River Pongma on Mon Tizit road to M/s National Construction amounting to Rs.1761.99 lakhs ii) construction of 34.00 long RCC Bridge over River Tizit on Mon-Tizit road to M/s National Construction amounting to Rs.1527.94 lakhs iii) construction of 34.00 M long RCC Bridge over River Tikang on Mon-Tizit road amounting to Rs.1523.56 lakhs. This was revised and brought down to Rs 648.29 lakhs, Rs 621.96 lakhs and Rs 620.35 lakhs respectively.
The NVCO reminded and warned the other departments as well to rectify the practice of exorbitant rates as the high rates and high escalations is putting the government to service huge debts in the subsequent years and even now the State is facing financial crisis.
Further the NVCO stated that the office of the Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Nagaland did not furnish the following documents as sought under the RTI such as original detailed project report with detailed estimate, High Level Technical Committee & SLPIC Clearance and approval, government approval and administrative approval, newspaper clippings of the NIT published, consultant appointment order upto 31st March 2012 with bill vouchers, DA/DL issued by the finance department & expenditures incurred upto date i.e 31st March 2012 along with bill vouchers.
It stated that the department could not furnish despite approaching the Appellate Authority (AA) and now the NVCO has already appealed before the State Chief Information Commissioner, Nagaland. It stated that though the rates has been rectified and even the terms & conditions were rectified but the Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Nagaland has again illegally awarded all the works to the same firm i.e M/s. National Commission despite of cancellation the earlier work orders and even without call of open tender.
“What is so special the firm so called M/s National Commission to the government particularly the department of works & housing?” And as highlighted the NVCO stated that the above work was awarded without clearance of HLTC & SLPIC, administrative approval and technical sanctioned which is “illegal on the part of Chief Engineer and he himself is in a violation of all ethics of technicality who is suppose to be the most expert technical person”.
The NVCO also informed that in a joint meeting of Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) and NVCO held at Hotel Japfu Kohima on 18th November, 2012 it had been resolved to fight jointly and decided to submit representation to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Nagaland and even to the concerned Ministries Govt. of Nagaland for cancellation of the work.
