Kerala Assembly: PWD Minister defends Uralungal contracts, promises inquiry into any complaints
The Kerala government on Monday made clear that the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) has been awarded works of the Public Works Department (PWD)
The Kerala government on Monday made clear that the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) has been awarded works of the Public Works Department (PWD) as per the laid-down procedures and practices. Replying to the questions of legislators during the Question Hour in the Assembly, PWD Minister P.K. Basheer informed the House that it has not been noticed that ULCCS has been granted work without following the procedures in the works of the PWD. “If there are complaints regarding the road works given to ULCCS, an investigation will be conducted and action will be taken,” said the Minister.
He also assured that the concerns raised by the legislators regarding the ULCCS’s works and whether the previous government has done any favour to the ULCC will also be examined. Currently, there are complaints that their works are being delayed due to workload. All of them are being examined. If any irregularities are found, the government will take appropriate action, he said. A written reply submitted in the House also stated that as per various government orders (GO), ULCCS has been given priority to award works through e-tender. As per a GO dated 13.11.1997 of the Co-operative Department and another GO dated 19.03.2004, if the rate quoted by the ULCCS is 10% higher than the rate quoted by other contractors, then the work can be sanctioned for the amount quoted by the society.
Moreover, as per various orders, the societies have been exempted from the payment of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and Security Deposit (Performance Guarantee) while participating in the works. As per a GO dated 2.08.2008, the society can undertake and carry out any amount of work. However, the ULCCS does not have any special priority in the works being done under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) tender condition under the Public Works Highways Division. However, the previously mentioned government orders are applicable in the national highway works being done using State funds of the PWD. Further, quality control is strictly followed in all the works of the department, the Minister said.
These are implemented as per PWD Manual and Standard Bidding Document (SBD) Condition. The contractors are billed based on the quality inspection results. If any complaint is received regarding the quality of the works, an investigation will be conducted and action will be taken, he said.
The BriefWire