Nagaland contractors threaten to launch agitation over contract allocation

KOHIMA — The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) on Thursday reiterated its demand for ‘one firm one work order’, objecting to 40 projects being clubbed into 16 packages under the PMGSY-III (batch-I 2023-24) under the PWD (R&B).

Addressing a press conference at Hotel Japfu, Kohima, the union warned of taking ‘its own course of action’ if their demands are not met.

It argued that allotting multiple projects to a single firm will lead to a delay as it is practically not possible not possible to several contracts in 24 months.

‘We are not against any individual but we are fighting for our democratic rights,’ said the NCSU executive members.

The union claimed that had earlier written to several people including Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B); Minister of Rural Development; and Chief Minister, in connection with the matter but didn’t receive any response. The request for an appointment with the chief secretary was denied, it claimed.

With no option left, the union filed a case with the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, after which the court directed the chief engineer to come back with a reply to the union’s representation.

The NCSU pointed out there is a clear government standing order (rectified in 1995) stating that all contract works in Nagaland should be awarded to only those with the NCSU identity card but the government is not following the same by issuing Notice Inviting Tenders (NIT) without its permission.

Claiming that crores of rupees-worth road and bridges projects were being allotted to non-local contractors, the NCSU said it is high time the state government supports the local contractors and see that “right contractors” is given the work. It added that there are a lot of competent local contractors who can do it.

The union also expressed dismay over the state government’s adoption of 100 percent new technologies, which it said is a “total failure”, while adding that they are willing to comply with the 15 percent of road length using new technologies under PMGSY as mandated under the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency.

The NCSU is said to have more than 5000 registered members, out of which over 1000 are class I contractors.

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