KASUR
Delay tactics and hurdles in the enlistment of contractors allegedly due to nexus between a “handful” of contractors and officials of the Building Department has not only promoting hegemony of “some blue-eyed” contractors but also causing huge losses to the tune of millions of rupees to the national exchequer.
As per details, contracts of 117 schemes worth about Rs140 million were awarded through a lottery system at hundred percent rate here on Nov 22. However, majority of contractors blamed the district administration for “favouritism” in the process, saying that the district government awarded the contracts to those persons who enjoyed patronage of the parliamentarians and those at the helm of affairs.
Meanwhile some contractors, requesting anonymity, told The Nation, that it had become a common practice in the Building Department that a “handpicked contracts” were awarded contracts at “full rates” even at a time when all the contractors were enlisted.
They alleged that the blue-eyed contractors greased the palm of officers and other officials of the department to get “their work” through, adding that commission system was rampant besides “ruthless” political intervention.
On the other hand, the department awarded contracts of 117 schemes worth Rs140 million to “some contractors” through a lucky draw at 100 percent rate. If the contracts were allowed through open tenders, these contracts could have gone up to 6% to 10% below which means a loss of millions of rupees.