PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) contractors association on Thursday raised various demands concerning the functioning of the PMGSY. Addressing the media, association president Ramesh Chandra Gahatodi said that elected representatives were interfering in the tender process at the Uttarakhand Rural Roads Development Agency (URRDA) headquarters affecting departmental work and delaying disposal of contractors’ files. He demanded that the State government designate a separate area and appoint a nodal officer for meetings with public representatives to ensure smooth functioning of the department.
Gahatodi also sought relief over the rise in bitumen prices saying that rates have more than doubled compared to those considered in the original Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) making execution of old contracts financially unviable. He demanded additional payments through ‘Extra Items’ in existing DPRs, Extension of Time (EoT) for affected projects and immediate steps to address the shortage of bitumen.
He further alleged that contractors are being charged double royalty, including a penalty and demanded that royalty be levied only at prescribed rates while abolishing the additional penalty. Gahatodi also sought establishment of a visitor facility room at the headquarters with basic amenities and requested quarterly review meetings with departmental officials.
He demanded that all CCTV cameras at the headquarters remain operational to ensure transparency and proper records of visitors. Gahatodi also urged the government to ensure regular attendance of officials, timely disposal of files, prompt payment of bills and fixed timelines for administrative approvals.
Calling for a transparent tender process, Gahatodi said that there should be regular dialogue between contractors and departmental officials to review delays and improve implementation of projects. He warned that if political interference in construction-related work continues, contractor organisations across the State would jointly decide their future course of action, including launching a statewide agitation.
