Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Nov 12: The All Arunachal Contractors’ Welfare Association (AACWA), Pakke Kessang District Unit, has demanded cancellation and re-tendering of the Lasum Patte–Namorah road project, alleging favouritism and irregularities in the recent tender process.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, AACWA general secretary Rakesh Techi alleged that an unauthorised Clause 42.1 was incorporated into the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT). He also raised questions over the eligibility of the listed bidders and alleged non-compliance with prescribed tender formats in the Rs 28.52-crore road project under the PWD, Pakke Kessang Division.
Techi further alleged that the division had imposed additional tender conditions, including the requirement of a No Encumbrance Land Clearance Certificate from the Gram Panchayat Chairperson (GPC), which, he claimed, were not in accordance with the prescribed norms.
He alleged that the association’s bid had been unfairly rejected and claimed that certain influential individuals were being favoured in the tender process.
He also stated that some bidders had faced difficulties in obtaining the mandatory land clearance certificates from the concerned GPCs, as required under Clause 42.1 of the tender document. Despite repeated attempts, the concerned representatives were allegedly unavailable or unwilling to issue the certificates, raising concerns over equal opportunities for all bidders.
Techi further expressed suspicion over the selective issuance of certificates and possible external interference in the process. He called for an independent examination of the applications, communications and records relating to the issuance of the certificates.
The association has submitted representations to the concerned authorities, seeking government intervention to ensure a fair and transparent tender process. It has also urged the state government to cancel the existing tender and initiate a fresh tendering process in the interest of transparency and equal opportunity.