The Hindu : Chennai Corporation bid to curb `cutting' culture

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 30, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Chennai Corporation bid to curb `cutting' culture

By Karthik Subramanian

Chennai Sept. 29. Three weeks after the Chennai Corporation suspended opening of all tenders following media reports of blatant corruption in the process, the civic agency is mulling over ways of making it corruption-resistant.

An enquiry has been conducted into the alleged malpractices during the award of tenders in recent months for road works, say official sources. Several contractors were questioned on the award of `cuttings' to local councillors and officials.

The Corporation Council, which met last August 29, witnessed uproarious scenes, with the DMK and the AIADMK coming to blows over an argument on the `cuttings' culture. On September 4, the Corporation administration directed zonal officers that the opening of all tender applications, due to be openedthis month, be deferred until further notice.

A committee was constituted to explore possibilities of making the tender processing foolproof. The primary goal is to ensure that the tender estimate is fully utilised for the work. It is said anything between 10 and 20 per cent of the estimate is lost by way of `cuttings'. The interior roads of Jai Nagar at Arumbakkam (Ward 65, Zone V) stand out as an example of this, where contractors were held responsible for substandard work. The roads have remained incomplete for more than three years now.

The committee has met twice so far and considered selling tender applications at the Ripon Buildings, besides making them available in the zones where the work is taken up. One major complaint aired by contractors during the August tender opening was that only `handpicked' contractors were given schedules.

Another suggestion for making the process transparent is to put tender document on the Internet. This will not only enable contractors to apply, by downloading forms, but also allow consumer action groups and civic associationsto keep a tab on whether the work is being executed as per tender norms.

"Much of the tender process is shrouded in mystery. Making the process online would not only make us aware, but also help us monitor whether the taxpayers' money is being utilised properly," says the Consumer Action Group co-ordinator, Bharat Jairaj.

Indeed, it is not just road works that get tangled in the `cuttings' web, but also some minor works. Recently, Vijayamaruthi Civic Exnora of Anna Nagar West protested the substandard work executed by a contractorof constructing a compound wall for a playfield at a cost of Rs 3.46 lakhs.

"The contractor did not construct a fresh foundation and chose to construct a wall on old pillars. But residents unequivocally objected, as money was allotted for the work after repeated requests from the association," says an exnora spokesman. Even a cursory look at some of the statistics on the recent tender openings show that there is more to it than meets the eye.

While the number of tender schedules sold in Zones VIII and I crossed 1,000, the tenders received at the time of opening were only 178 and 257 respectively.

With road works to the tune of several crores due to be taken up in the coming months, it remains to be seen whether the Corporation will be able to reverse the trend and ensure that the public money is spent properly.

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