The BMC has decided to adopt a new set of civic works contracts (CWCs) system, which will have a panel of contractors. A contractor would be selected to perform civic works at ward levels from the panel. To ensure quality, the civic body will also carry out a third-party audit of these works.
“Under the new system, works up to `3 lakh will be sanctioned by the ward officer. However, for works costing between `3 lakh and `20 lakh, the contractor will be selected by a tender process. The cost of the works will be estimated and tabled before the wards committee for approval and after that a tender notice will be issued to appoint a contractor,” said standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale.
Ward level works carried out by the civic contractors faced a lot of criticism for quality issues and on allegations of corruption. Consequently, the BMC has decided to do away with the present system, where only a coterie of contractors was given a priority.
“There will be no category of contractors for bidding and also a scrutiny process for the qualifying contractors has been relaxed. Contractors from the MMRDA area can bid for the works and priority will be given to local engineers. The monopoly of present contractors will be thus broken,” said Mr Shewale.
In the new system, the wards will have a panel of contractors who are registered with the BMC. The contractor with the lowest quotation will be given the works, he added. The BMC appoints CWCs to carry out minor civic works at ward levels. However, this year the system was mired in controversy as majority of the 31 nominated contractors bid abnormally low below the estimated price. Due to this, the BMC decided to conduct the viability test.