To curb favouritism, BMC brings standard bidding terms

MUMBAI: The municipality has drawn up a standard document listing terms and conditions for contractors bidding for public works. This move by the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation aims at ruling out allegations of favouritism on the part of municipal officials towards certain contractors, said a senior official.
The standard document will also ensure that the bidding process becomes a level playing field for small contractors and big players, said the official.Currently, it is alleged that small contractors are “often favoured by the civic body by tweaking rules” while big players with technical expertise and know-how are often sidelined. “This happens because civic officials prefer those contractors from whom they themselves stand to gain,” said the official who spoke strictly on the condition of anonymity.
Every year, the civic body spends an average of Rs 10,000 crore on various works for which it invites tenders. “However, the officials often tweak terms and conditions in such a way that certain contractors will have an edge... The terms and conditions laid down in the standard bidding document will rule out any such favouritism,” said the official.
However, in case of certain technicalities, the municipal officials will be allowed to tweak terms and conditions depending on the technical needs of the job which has to be undertaken.
In the past, allegations have been levelled that contractors would form a cartel to bid for civic projects. It was also alleged that these contractors curried favours with certain civic officials and political bosses to clinch deals.
To rule out such corrupt practicees, the municipal commissioner had set up a panel to lay down rules in the standard bidding document. On the basis of the recommendations made by the panel, the civic authority issued a circular about the standard bidding document which will be put up online from October 15.