PANJIM: The State’s coffers are virtually empty and whilst the government is running from pillar to post to even manage employees’ salaries after the mining ban and tourism slowdown, there is a State-owned agency which is splurging money on projects without application of mind.
Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for implementation of the Smart City project in Goa, has invited tenders for refurbishing its headquarters in Panjim. What is interesting is that the cost of the project is pegged at Rs 20 cr.
IPSCDL is yet to make any significant development, viz-a-viz the Smart City project in the capital and appears to be all out to spend on other projects.
The tender floated by the IPSCDl states, “IPSCDL invites online bids under two bid system on item rate basis from eligible contractors/agencies for the work of “Restoration, Refurbishment & Interior Design of the Headquarters of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (3rd Call)”.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 20,01,04,868.00 and the EMD for the tender is Rs 40,02,100.00. The agency has estimated time for completion, including monsoon, at 10 months.
The document further says that the bidder should have a valid registration for e-tendering with IPSCDL and should have, in the last seven years, successfully completed as a prime contractor at least one similar work of value not less than Rs 16 crore or two similar works each of value not less than Rs 12 crore or three similar works each of value not less than Rs 8 crore.
Further, the document says, the bidder should have an average annual turnover of at least Rs 6 crore in the last three consecutive financial years.
(Read Review for Smart City progress so far).
