The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : TAHDCO clarifies government's position

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Friday, Sep 17, 2010
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

TAHDCO clarifies government's position

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The State government was only examining a proposal of inviting contractors belonging to communities other than Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes to take up civil works as SC/ST contractors did not come forward to participate in tenders. Clarifying the government's position, a press release issued by the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) on Thursday stated that “this government did not take any decision to deny giving contracts to contractors of the Adi Dravidar community,” the release said.

When a review of civil works of the TAHDCO was carried out in November 2009, it was revealed that tenders were invited over 10 times for 406 works that covered the construction of additional school buildings, science laboratories, students' hostels and roads. These works were to be carried out since 2002-2003. Yet, no SC contractor took part in the tenders.

The total cost of the works was Rs. 120 crore.

As the works remained unimplemented for several years, the government could not issue fund utilisation certificates, because of which there was delay in getting funds.

It was under these circumstances that the proposal was being considered.

Before the TAHDCO could implement it, some persons moved the Madras High Court challenging this move, the release added.

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