Panaji: A delegation of the Goa Contractors Union (GCU), led by President Sunil Signapurkar, met Chief Engineer Mr. Mhapne today to voice their strong opposition to the participation of a Madhya Pradesh-based construction company in Goa’s e-tendering process.
The delegation, which included General Secretary Rajesh Haldankar, Treasurer Amol Navelkar, Secretary Sandesh Potnis, Umesh Gadekar, Spokesperson Jitesh Kamat, Ex-President Sangram Kerkar, Ashok Harjan, and other senior members, expressed concerns about the acceptance of the technical evaluation of a contractor not registered with the Goa PWD and lacking a Goa-based GST registration.
As the Principal Chief Engineer was unavailable, the delegation presented their grievances to Chief Engineer Mr. Mhapne, urging him to reject bids from out-of-state contractors. Responding promptly, the Chief Engineer assured the delegation that such bidders would be disqualified, ensuring adherence to the guidelines.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, GCU President Sunil Signapurkar emphasized the union’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of contractors registered with the Goa PWD. He warned that allowing out-of-state contractors to participate in the tendering process would threaten the livelihood of Goan contractors.
GCU Spokesperson Jitesh Kamat further informed the media that the acceptance of the technical evaluation was termed a “human error” by the concerned Executive Engineer. Kamat warned that such errors should not be repeated, as they set a dangerous precedent that could disadvantage Goan contractors and engineers.
The delegation highlighted the two-step process of the e-tendering system:
- Technical Evaluation: All submitted documents are checked for compliance.
- Financial Bid Opening: The lowest bidder among the qualified contractors is awarded the contract.
They criticized the oversight that allowed an outside-state contractor to pass the technical evaluation stage, which they argued should have been rejected outright.
The union urged the PWD Minister to issue a notification mandating the rejection of non-registered contractors during the technical evaluation phase. Additionally, they requested that tender notices clearly specify whether contractors from other states are permitted, especially for specialized works.
The GCU reaffirmed its role as a bridge between the government and contractors, advocating for clean and fair development in Goa while protecting local livelihoods.
