MARGAO: A group of citizens in Margao have questioned the Public Works Department, Water Resources Department, GSIDC, and other departments for not making it mandatory for contractors to display a board with details of the tender for which work is being executed. Savio Coutinho,
Convenor of SCM, told reporters that while
Margao has witnessed numerous launching ceremonies, wherein the project is flagged off with the breaking of a sacred coconut, but there is no transparency regarding the execution of works.
Coutinho cited the example of three launching ceremonies held by Margao MLA Digamber Kamat for the work of laying hot mix carpet for roads in Margao, saying that residents are confused and under the impression that 15 crore is being spent on three works of 5.2 crore each. The same is true for WRD works, where multiple launching ceremonies are held. Coutinho stated that according to tender conditions, every contractor must display a board with all the details of the contract, but neither contractors nor engineers ensure that this is done.
Coutinho also called on the PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to investigate how PWD invites tenders for laying hot mix carpet, construction of drains, and providing of RCC slabs over existing drains.
The tenders are vague and always titled as ‘laying hot mix carpet/construction of drains/providing of RCC slabs over existing drains at various places in Margao constituency.’
When questioned, works division officials say they have a plan in their file with the locations.
