Withdraw 'restrictions' on TTAADC contractors: Tipra leaders urged Chief Engineer

A delegation of Tipra Motha MLAs and MDCs led by MLA Ranjit Debbarma and Philip Kumar Reang on Tuesday met the Chief Engineer PWD (Road and Bridges wing) and highlighted the concerns of contracts from TTAADC areas who were being allegedly deprived of participating in the bidding process of the contracts floated by the PWD department.  

According to the memorandum handed over to the authorities, the recent restrictions imposed by the authorities were directly affecting the livelihood of the contractors.

The elected representatives of the TTAADC and state assembly in their representation claimed that enlisted contractors of the TTAADC administration were earlier allowed to participate in Detailed Notice Inviting Tenders (DNITs) floated by the PWD (Roads and Buildings), Government of Tripura.

They cited as an example a DNIT issued by the Executive Engineer of Khowai Division, PWD (R&B), inviting online percentage rate e-tenders for development of a road from Kalyan Manil to Dalan Tilla under the 2024-25 financial year. The tender, with an estimated cost of Rs 1.45 crore, had allowed participation of contractors registered with agencies including the TTAADC, they said.

According to them, the contractors enlisted under the TTAADC obtained licences after fulfilling all legal formalities and executed awarded works satisfactorily. They also claimed that licence upgradation had been carried out over time for eligible contractors meeting the prescribed criteria.

The contractors alleged that their “legitimate rights” had recently been curtailed without any formal notification or explanation from the authorities.

“The sudden restriction imposed upon TTAADC enlisted contractors has caused massive hardship and uncertainty among the contractor community,” the memorandum stated.

They further alleged that the restriction was adversely affecting equal opportunity and competitive bidding in government procurement processes.

The contractors claimed that several tenders submitted through the designated platforms for various works were pending at different stages of the administrative process and had remained in abeyance for a prolonged period.

Seeking government intervention, the MLAs and MDCs appealed for a review of the matter and issuance of necessary clarification or orders permitting valid enlisted contractors of the TTAADC administration to participate in PWD tenders as was allowed earlier.

They also urged the government to maintain equal opportunity in line with its stated development objectives.