In the water resources department, separate for kanmai and embankment maintenance, government schools, libraries and offices should be maintained regularly at regular intervals by the public works department. Funds are allocated annually for this. Complaints have been raised that small contractors are working on minor maintenance works and now only a few are enjoying all the benefits.
Small contractors said: “Politicians don’t see taking up small contract work before.” Only large contract will be considered. Now everything is being taken over by a few influential people to crush us. When you ask the officials, they divert you by saying that it is the intervention of the ministers.
Normally 30 percent of the total estimate is required to be spent as an advance on a small contract job.
If the contract amount is Rs.1 lakh, then politicians have to spend 10 percent, local settlement 5 percent, 4 level officials 5 percent each, tender amount 4 percent, GST, 18 percent including 62.5 percent.
Maintenance works should be carried out only on the balance. Sometimes we ask the officials to reduce the commission because the amount is ten.
On February 24, a tender is to be floated for 5 works at Simmakkal Central Library at an estimate of Rs.20 lakh each. When we asked about it, the minister said that the contract can be given to the person named by him. We have sent a letter to the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department.
He said a month ago that he would take action. No action has been taken yet. Similarly, we are going to make a request to the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department regarding Kanmai and embankment maintenance.
Madurai, Feb. 21 –
There has been an allegation that the public works department in Madurai is handing over the maintenance of government buildings to a single person for commission instead of giving it to small contractors.