BASURI DESAI
In a major develop ment following O Heraldo’s re ports on alleged irregularities in the empanelment of M/s Bag kiya Constructions Pvt Ltd, the Goa Government has decided to revoke the firm’s coveted Class IAA (Super) contractor licence after finding serious lapses in the enlistment process. Confirming the decision, Prin cipal Chief Engineer of Goa PWD, Sandip Chodnekar, said the Gov ernment has given its approv al for revocation of the licence based on the findings of an inter nal inquiry conducted by a com mittee of PWD engineers. “A committee of PWD engi neers made observations and suggestions after a thorough inquiry into the empanelment process of Bagkiya Construc tions. I have received instruc tions from the Minister for rev ocation of the said licence and we are doing it,” Chodnekar told O Heraldo.
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The move comes months after civil engineer and PWD contrac tor Manoj S Pai Dukle alleged – and highlighted in a report by O Herlado – that Bagkiya Con structions had secured eligibility for major government projects by relying on manipulated or ques tionable work completion certif icates and discrepancies relating to Joint Venture credentials. Sources indicated that the departmental inquiry examined the firm’s empanelment pro cess, including documents sub mitted for obtaining the Class IAA (Super) status, which ena bled participation in high-value government tenders. Chodnekar further revealed that the department is also examining a broader review of the contractor classifica tion system. “The department is also in the process of scrapping the existing IAA Super class of licence after hearing the views of the Contractors’ Association,” he said, indicating that wider reforms in the contractor enlistment framework may be under consideration. Meanwhile, a Vigilance inquiry into the allegations against Bagkiya Constructions is also underway.
Director of Vigilance, AmarsenRane, confirmed to O Heraldo that the department has received a complaint in the matter and that an investigation has commenced. “The department has received a complaint and it is be ing investigated,” Rane said. However, he declined to di vulge further details, stating that the inquiry is underway. The government’s decision to revoke the licence is likely to have far-reaching implications, not only for the contrac tor concerned but also for the manner in which high-value public works contracts of various departments are scruti nised and awarded in the future. With Vigilance now probing the allegations and the PWD initiating action on the licence, attention will shift to whether further administrative or legal proceedings fol low as the investigation progresses.
