source: The Hindu
Only two applications received for Tender
Tender ads published in Hubli daily
Majority work include improvement of drainage and small lanes
Tender awarded to AP co., which quoted more than stipulated rates
A group of councilors claiming support of 35 members met Deputy Commissioner G. Ravishankar on Monday afternoon, pleaded him to cancel the action plan prepared by a group of officials under the influence of two MLAs, and prepare a new action plan in accordance with the guidelines issued by the State Government.
Kiran Sayanak, Latif Pathan, Netaji Jadhav and Parshuram Dhage representing both ruling and opposition in the BCC led the group.
They alleged that the plan was prepared in violation of the guidelines set by the govt. The plan was made to suit wishes and convenience of the two MLAs and issued tender notification in the Hubli edition of a regional newspaper.
Only two applications were received as against a minimum three applications to finalize a tender work. Yet, the application of an Andhra Pradesh-based contractor was considered for award of works despite the fact that the rates quoted were 22 per cent more than the prevailing guideline rates of the State Government.
Improvement Drainage lines and small lanes are the works selected in the current plan which the corporation makes a yearly ward wise allocation.
At least 15 wards, including that of Mayor and Deputy Mayor and other prominent councilors had been completely left out under the SDP, which was not incidental but deliberate and politically motivated. All the decisions were taken by Mr. Sait and Mr. Patil and the officials only danced to their tunes under pressure from an influential young politician from Shimoga district.