The Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane and Cane Development department has decided to go for e-tendering to maintain transparency and allow contractors registered with any state of Central government department to bid for its construction works to create a healthy competition.
“The participation of contractors from departments other then the Cane Development and PWD will gave rise to healthy competition and ensure bids at lowest possible rates. This will also ensure completion of construction works at minimum possible amount,” Commissioner, Sugarcane and Cane Development, Sanjay R Bhoosreddy, said.
It may be mentioned that this year e-tendering systems has been implemented in Cane Development department. Earlier, only contractors registered with Cane department and PWD were eligible to participate in the tenders.
“Complaints were being received about adoption of malpractices in registration of contractors in the department and a healthy competition was not expected from the limited number of contractors,” he said.
“With a view to maintain absolute transparency and create healthy competition in bidding, it has been decided that all contractors registered with any department of the state or Central government will be eligible to bid in equivalent category when e-tenders are floated for construction works by the Cane Development department,” Bhoosreddy said.
He said in financial year 2017-18, Rs 25.05 crore was saved in construction works given by the Cane Development department.
“This saving enabled the department to bear Rs 4.87 crore cost increase due to hike in bitumen prices, without demanding any additional budget from the state government. Besides, construction/repair of 109 additional roads of more than 117 kilometre length was possible from these savings,” he added.
Likewise, in financial year 2018-19, a saving of Rs 12.20 crore was made due to widespread competition in various tenders floated for construction of roads. The saved amount enabled the department to construct/repair 54 additional roads of more than 36 km length, he said.
Bhoosreddy said that this increased competition would improve the roads in many other sugarcane areas and facilitate sugarcane growers in supplying their sugarcane to sugar mills.