The All Odisha Contractors’ Association on Monday pooh-poohed the Rural Development and EIC Rural Works, Odisha blaming contractors alone for substandard the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana works. In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the association expressed its strong resentment over the authorities’ allegation based on SQM and NQM's reports and action threats.
It appraised the Chief Ministers that there are many lacunae from the Government side for which the works have been of poor quality. It said the defective DPRs/estimates prepared through outsourcing is the main cause behind the substandard work. “The agencies preparing the DPRs never visit sites and hence all DPRs are basically defective and devoid of real necessities pertaining to works,” it pointed out, adding that the cost of PMGSY works in Odisha is 15 per cent less than other States. The association cited nonpayment of compensation for borrow area is the second reason. “As per PMGSY norms, the authorities must show borrow area to work executing agency to collect earth. If borrow area cannot be shown, due compensation must be provided to contractors so that the work executing agency does not sustain loss. But to great dismay neither borrow area is shown nor due compensation is paid,” it said.
Similarly, deficient and defective tender approval policy, nonpayment of real cost of materials, which get escalated now and then, and no contractual obligation of work executing authorities for the works are the other reasons of the poor quality work. The association said if the Government takes note of these points seriously, quality in works would undoubtedly be achieved.