PWD division Poonch plays foul by inviting the tender of a single work twice; Beautification of Betar Bridge

PWD division Poonch plays foul by inviting the tender of a single work twice; Beautification of Betar Bridge

POONCH TODAY NEWS

POONCH:  In the last edition of POONCH TODAY, it was published that sorry state of affairs were going on PWD division Poonch as it is a clear indication that the department is keen to spoil the development scenario of the district by encouraging contractors to opt for work at low rates.

In response to NIT no 207/2021-22 dated 06-11-2021 regarding work of Safety/Beautification of Betar Bridge, with an approx cost of Rs 39 lac, a contractor won the tender on a low rate of Rs 14 lac, but later refused to execute the work on the ground. Now, rather than taking action against the erring contractor, PWD department again issued the tender vide NIT no  226/2-21-22 dated -7-12-2021 and invited tenders for the same work of Safety/Beautification of Betar bridge. Now, the question arises what is going on in the PWD. The silence of SE PWD Rajouri-Poonch circle, CE PWD Jammu  and Com/Secy is questionable. As there are strict guidelines from the government that if a contractor opts for low rate and then fails to execute the work on the ground, then the department is free to take action against the said contractor. But the sorry state of affairs in PWD division Poonch shows that department officers prefer to compromise over quality of work rather than taking action against the erring contractors. There are more such examples where Contractors are getting work on low rates and then comprise with quality of the work which is nothing but a murder of tax payers money.  Earlier the same work of Betar bridge at a cost of Rs 39 .17 lakh was won by a Contractor on  a low rate of Rs 14 lakh.  Is it possible for a Contractor to complete the work at this low rate of Rs 14 lac? The answer is “No”. Such unhealthy practice being carried out in PWD division Poonch is a worrying sign for the future as far as development of this border district is concerned. Contactors are preferring their self interest by forming coordination with PWD officers, least bothered about creating durable assets for the people of Poonch district.  A high level inquiry is needed against erring officials of PWD division Poonch who are not taking action against erring contactors in addition to playing foul in the allotment process of various works.