Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 27: Contractors’ Association Jammu has urged upon the State Government to withdraw its new circular issued by the Director Codes with regard to enhancing lower limit of e-tendering of the works.
Addressing a joint press conference here today, Balvinder Singh general secretary, J&K Contractors’ Coordination Committee, Narinder Gupta- president PWD(R&B) Contractors’ Association & Dhian Singh- secretary Registered Contractors Association Jammu strongly criticized the circular of Finance Department, issued by Director Codes on Sept 19, whereby, it has enhanced the e-tendering lower limit for procurement of store items and all works, from Rs one lakh to 10 lakh.
They said the limit was earlier fixed by the previous Coalition Government vide circular number 04/ITD of 2015 dated 20.05.2016. While giving reasons for revoking the previous circular, the fresh circular stated that the previous circular was issued without the consultation of the Finance Department and it has been found that the executing departments are facing difficulties in implementation of this downward threshold limit of Rs 1.00 lakh in their e-tendering process in view of the prevailing conditions in the State.
Mr Singh while dismissing the above reasons submitted that Director Codes has no right to issue such circulars. The mode of inviting tenders for initiating the tendering process for the execution of works is entirely the prerogative of the Chief Engineers and the concerned Administrative department. While refuting second reason that the executing departments and contractors are facing problems Mr Singh stated that neither the executing department nor any of the contractors associations have ever made any such complaint or given representation to the Government.
They said the circular issued by the previous Govt fixing the e-tendering limit from Rs 1.00 lakh onwards, came into existence only after the hard efforts put forth before the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by various Contractor’s Associations of Jammu and Valley. They alleged that the real purpose behind reducing the upper limit by the PDP/BJP alliance is to give encouragement to the corruption people.
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