MMC to take a call on controversial e-tenders

TEAM HERALD

MARGAO: Exactly a year after the e-tender floated by the Margao Municipal Council was bogged down in a major row over duplication of works, the civic body appears out to take the tendered works to their logical conclusion.

The e-tender floated by the civic body in September last year had kicked up a huge row after City Fathers alleged the municipality has proposed works which already stands completed in their wards. An inquiry later ordered by the government confirmed that a couple of workers were indeed carried out on the ground, bringing to the fore duplication of works in the civic body.

Sources in the civic body said that moves are afoot to convene a special meeting of the Council either later this week or next week to discuss on the issue and take a call on executing the controversial tender.

Chairperson Gonzaco Rebello said he would place the e-tender issue before the Council meeting for the Councillors to discuss the issue threadbare and take a call. “I have been approached by many a City Father seeking to know why the Council is not executing the e-tender when the Director of Municipal Administration Elvis Gomes has given a nod for the implementation of the non-controversial works a couple of months ago,”, said Gonzaco.

Chief Officer Narayan Sawant, however, said that administration will go strictly by the law as far as the e-tender is concerned. “I have asked the Municipal section concerned to prepare a detailed note on the e-tender. The Council will take a decision based on law,” Sawant reassured.

Incidentally, questions are being asked in the corridors of the civic body as to why some Councillors are insisting on the implementation of the controversial e-tender. “It is surprising that a section of Councillors are only insisting on the e-tender. Many a development work would have by now been complete if the civic body had to re-tender the works,” remarked a civic official.

Incidentally, the issue had figured in the Monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly when Urban Development Minister, Francis D’souza sought to give a clean chit to the MMC on the e-tender, while Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai sought to know the steps government will initiate given that an inquiry has confirmed duplication of works.