CHENNAI:
The Chennai Corporation has recently decided to make online its tendering process. Under the `e-tender' system, contractors who want to bid for capital works can download tender applications and bid online.
The changes are aimed to address a serious allegation of contractors forming syndicates, sometimes with the connivance of officials and politicians, to ensure that only a select few `cornered' the works.
Last month, the civic agency cancelled all tenders sought for works in Corporation Zone 9 (Saidapet) following complaints that a group prevented some contractors from submitting bids.
Incidentally, it was not the first time tenders have been cancelled for such reasons. Though officials try to intervene over complaints on the tendering process, the corrective measures by way of calling for fresh bids and going through the grind all over again slow down the execution of capital works.
Often, it leads to cost escalation of projects vis-à-vis the construction material costs. Officials hope that that the `e-tender' process would ensure a level-playing field.
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