The Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) department has issued a directive to local bodies to eliminate the requirements for site visits and machinery certificates in tender procedures, in a move to curb corruption and close loopholes. Contractors have long protested these conditions, which were allegedly used by officials to demand kickbacks.
Key Directive from MAWS Secretary
At a meeting chaired by MAWS Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi on Friday, all heads of departments were instructed to remove clauses demanding these certificates. An official privy to the meeting stated, "Contractors should ideally visit the site to begin work, and it is the assistant engineers' responsibility to ensure adequate machinery is deployed. If not, penalties can be imposed. Officials can verify these details after the lowest bidder (L1) is determined."
Current Procedure and Issues
Previously, tenders were opened on the TN Tenders website, and contractors had to submit machinery and site visit certificates approved by officials to qualify. This practice allegedly favored pre-selected contractors, leading to over a hundred writ petitions against the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) from contractors denied certificates. R Ramarao, President of the Greater Chennai Contractors Association, noted, "This certificate is given only to pre-selected contractors. I have personally appeared in court to seek removal of this clause, as it is officials' duty to inspect and penalize. This change will save at least 20% to the exchequer."
Impact on Bidding Process
With the clause removed, contractors can directly participate in bidding, and the L1 can be ascertained promptly. Ramarao added, "They can receive the work order and begin work immediately." Officials noted that these certificate restrictions were only introduced in 2023.
Additional Directives
GCC officials have been instructed to avoid tender value escalations and ensure accurate budget preparation aligned with project value. They are also barred from floating limited tenders. Furthermore, the meeting directed all IAS officers, including corporation commissioners and deputy commissioners, to begin inspections by 7 am, ensure cleanliness of public places, smooth solid waste management, and removal of posters.
