NCSU decries non-implementation of govt. memo, backdoor deals

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) has requested that the Nagaland Chief Secretary issue a reminder to all heads of departments and administrative departments to follow the state government memorandum in toto and award contracts and supply works only to registered contractors and suppliers.

Non-implementation of the government memorandum by any government officials or politicians will be done at their own risk, the union said in a letter to the chief secretary, adding that if the higher authority fails to address the NCSU grievances, the union will have no choice but to seek legal action against the defaulters in a court of law.

The memorandum in question here requires that all government contracts and supply works in the state of Nagaland be awarded only to contractors and suppliers who are registered and have an NCSU identity card.

The NCSU stated that in 1985, the chief secretary issued a memorandum stating that a number of government employees were found to be actively engaged in executing contract and supply works in various departments under the state government offices.

It said that it was detected that such works were executed in the names of officer’s relatives or by using fictitious names, and in order to stop it, the state government decided to circulate the government memorandum to all heads of departments and administrative departments, mentioning that all contract and supply works should be awarded only to the registered contractors and suppliers holding identity cards of the NCSU.

Apart from that, it said, there is another state government contractor and supplier rule based on which contract and supply works are awarded to the contractors and suppliers through notice inviting tender (NIT) on open tenders only, but in practice it is not so.

The NCSU claimed that many government officials and politicians knowingly ignore the government standing rules and illegally award the works to selfish contractors through table tender or backdoor means (without following the NIT).

“Truly speaking, we the NCSU has submitted several representations to the State Govt. not to allow such illegal practices and take stern action against the corrupt Officials & Politicians, but so far, no action has been taken against the defaulters. Now, NCSU realised Enough is Enough, the matter seems to be serious that we cannot remain as mute spectators in this regard any longer (sic),” the letter, signed by Pele Khezhie, president, NCSU, and John Kath, general secretary, NCSU, read.

The NCSU, however, stated that it is always ready to cooperate with the state government to check and find out the defaulters in all departments.

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