Nashik: NMC Retenders Rs 174 Crore Cleaning Contracts To Address Previous Tendering Errors | File Image
A re-tendering process has been initiated by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to address errors in the tender process for cleaning contracts worth Rs 174 crore for the next five years, employing 850 sanitation workers. Large companies are expected to participate as the conditions of a total turnover of Rs 54 crore and a net worth of Rs 100 crore have been maintained. The involvement of new, prominent companies is anticipated.
In August 2020, due to an insufficient number of sanitation workers, the NMC’s solid waste department outsourced 700 workers to clean public roads. A budget of Rs 73 crore was allocated for this purpose for three years. After the contract expired, an extension was granted. Subsequently, a tender for the work worth Rs 174 crore was issued.
The tender process became controversial on the very day of its release due to changes in the leadership of the Directorate of Solid Waste Management. Allegations arose that certain conditions, such as the turnover requirement of Rs 54 crore, were included to favour specific contractors. However, with elections underway, the issue did not receive much attention initially.
Intervention and revisions
Post-elections, intervention by public representatives led to an extension of the NMC’s tender process by 15 days to address irregularities in the terms and conditions. A pre-bid meeting indicated that some objectionable terms had been removed. Despite this, doubts lingered as most conditions remained unchanged. However, removing the contentious “hourly conditions” has cleared the way for the participation of larger companies.
Key changes to the terms
During the pre-bid meeting, several demands were raised, including:
– Removal of the Rs 54 crore turnover and Rs 100 crore net worth conditions.
– Elimination of geo-tagging.
– Abolition of hourly conditions.
– Reduction in the number of cleaning staff.
“Procedures have been conducted as per the Central Vigilance Commission Manual for Other Services, Maharashtra government guidelines, as well as manual guidelines for other non-consultancy services. Consistency has been considered while conducting the tender process,” said Smita Jagde, Additional Commissioner, NMC.
