MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council at its special meeting on Wednesday decided to invite open bids for collecting sopo in the markets. However, as the present agreement is coming to an end on March 31, it was also decided to give the present contractor one –month extension.
MMC Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudessai admitted that there was a lapse and the process should have started earlier. As the members were divided on whether to renew the contract with the existing contractor or seek fresh bid, she said legal advice was sought which was in favour of open tenders.
However, as members pointed out that there was hardly any time to invite fresh bids before the existing contract expires, it was decided to give an extension of one month to the present contractor provided he paid the fees for the one extra month with 25 per cent increase as mentioned in the agreement.
Dr Babita was hopeful that the tenders would be invited by mid-April and asked the officials to inform the Information Department to issue the advertisement in the media about the tender. Even though there was some opposition to inviting fresh tenders, a division of the house saw the motion to invite fresh tenders sail through as most voted in its favour.
