Bhubaneswar: The blacklisted Panda Infra Projects Private Limited (PIPPL) will be responsible for the completion of the recently collapsed Bomikhal flyover in the capital, according to top officials of the state Works department. They also confirmed that the same firm will resume the work for their ongoing projects.
Though PIPPL, the company engaged in the construction of the flyover at Bomikhal, got blacklisted after part of the under construction flyover caved in recently, the top officials of the Works Department are giving petty excuses for this move.
“Blacklisting simply means that they will not be allowed to participate in tendering for new works. But, they are bound to complete the ongoing works because none will come forward to complete the incomplete works,” Works secretary Nalini Kanta Pradhan said.
Interestingly, OPWD Contractor’s Registration Rules 1967, Codal Provision for Blacklisting Contractors also say that the registration certificate of blacklisted contractor shall remain automatically suspended while allowing him to complete all his ongoing work(s) unless otherwise rescinded by the competent authority on grounds of breach of conditions of agreement.
On the other hand, the blacklisting law specifically says that care shall be taken to make sure that the blacklisted contractor and his partners do not transact any business with government under a different name or title.
Top officials of the Works department have confirmed that the department has taken the necessary steps in this regard. “The registration of the firm is already cancelled and we have taken the necessary steps for ensuring that the contractor is removed from the list of the contractors,” added Pradhan.
Nevertheless, Panda Infra Projects Private Limited is still listed on the Works Department website (http://www.worksodisha.gov.in/civil_contractors_super_class.html) as civil contractors (super class) which exposes the unholy nexus and lethargic attitude of officials in the Works department. In fact, this also means that the whole episode of blacklisting and arrest of Panda Infra director Pratap Kishore Panda was just eyewash.
“This is a dangerous precedent. Usually, the contract is allotted only after accessing the eligibility. The recent collapse of the flyover at a prominent location makes it clear that the firm is incompetent for the project and it will put public at risk. Secondly, the department can give the contract to another firm. Before that the department has to take an estimate for the remaining project and then the project can be put for tender again. In my opinion, officials are allowing blacklisted contractor to complete the Bomikhal work to save time. But, this will put public at risk,” said a former secretary at the Works department.
Human rights activist Manoj Jena also raised concern over the decision of the Works department. “The Bomikhal collapse happened on a Sunday and it is one of the major reasons for the low casualty. But, if the project is handed over to the same firm it raises concerns and the government has to take immediate steps to stop this decision. Otherwise, the government is making a human rights violation by putting the lives of people at risk,” said Jena, core group member of National Human Rights Commission.
Jose K Joseph, OP
