KNB News Desk
Srinagar 17 March (KNB): A contractor name withheld on Wednesday alleged that the eligibility criteria mentioned in the tender notice issued by SKUAST-K on March 10 are being violated.
The contractor said that the intending bidder in the tender notice is asked to have a worth of 100 Cr. before executing the work on two separate projects at Shuhama and Wadura whenever the total project worth is only seven crores.
“The bidder is told to have a minimum net worth of 100 crore rupees and is told to have a minimum turnover of 100 cr in preceding five financial years which are in violation of CVC and Financial Code guidelines. However, a solvency certificate of not less than 30 crore is also sought from us,” said the contractor.
Besides, IGBA, an international level certificate, is sought from the bidder, which is not seen anywhere in India,” he said.
He said that generally, 25% of the contract value is sought from the bidder to invest but seeking 100 crores net worth of the intended bidder is a violation of rules.
“Before handing over the project to someone, his financial viability is checked besides whether he has done similar nature of work before or not. But seeking 100 crores net worth of the contractor is tantamount to avoid the competition so that a particular one is given project work,” alleged the contractor.
He further said that the tender notice should be rolled back and a new one should be issued, which follows the usual conditions to generate healthy competition.
While talking to the official of SKUAST-K regarding the matter, he claimed that a fresh notice in this regard was uploaded on March 13 with all needed rectification done to the previous March 10 notice.
However, on checking the varsity website, the changes were done in the serial numbers 7, 9 and 10 of the eligibility criteria, but the corrigendum notice was uploaded on the afternoon of 17 March, which ironically was the last date for online submission of pre-qualification bid. (KNB)