The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Compete in quality work, not in number of works'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 08, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Compete in quality work, not in number of works'

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Health and Family Welfare Minister R. Ashok on Wednesday advised contractors executing civil works for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to compete in terms of "quality work" and not "in the number of works."

Addressing members of the BBMP Contractors' Sangha here, the Minister said, "We have noticed that there is infighting among the contractors to grab work. To ensure that your rival does not get the contract, you quote the lowest in the tenders. Although this is beneficial to the organisation, it will definitely affect the quality of work."

The Minister, who released a technical diary and calendar brought out by the sangha, promised that the Government would give preference to local contractors in all works if they promised to maintain quality.

With the formation of BBMP, infrastructure works worth crores of rupees would be taken up, he said and reiterated that the contractors should gear up to meet deadlines. "That is why we have introduced the "hundi" (bill discounting system) through Canara Bank. It will not only help in early payment of your bills, but also ensure that you do have enough money to take up the next work," he said. Referring to contractors as "partners of BBMP", Commissioner K. Jairaj said they were equally responsible for developing the city. "You maintain quality and we will ensure your bills are not held up," he added. As per this system, contractors can get 90 per cent of their bill amount from Canara Bank (subject to clearance by the BBMP) at 10 per cent interest. They will have to pay interest for six months and if the BBMP does not deposit the money with the bank by then, it will continue to pay the interest. "This will be helpful to the contractors as well as the civic body," he said. President of the Karnataka State Contractors' Association A.S. Chinnaswamy Raju urged the Commissioner to get the rate and term of interest reduced.

Canara Bank General Manager P.N. Murthy, sangha president R.J. Srinivas, general secretary R. Ambikapathy and general secretary of the association D. Kempanna were present.

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Karnataka