Contractors seek withdrawal of circular

Jammu, September 27

Private contractors working for the Public Works Department (PWD) have demanded immediate withdrawal of a new circular by the Finance Department enhancing the e-tendering lower limit from Rs 1 lakh to 10 lakh.

Contractors claim that the Finance Department has no locus standi in the matter and the Director, Codes, has no right to issue such circulars as per the present rules.

“The mode of inviting tenders and what methodology is to be adopted for initiating tendering process for execution of different works is entirely the prerogative of the Chief Engineers and their administrative department and not of the Director, Codes,” claimed Balwinder Singh, general secretary, J&K Contractors Coordination Committee.

Contractors have condemned the new circular and alleged that rather than bringing transparency it would further allow wrong practices leading to more corruption in the department. — TNS