E-tendering starts for labour, contractors

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 4

In a move that will go a long way in eliminating corruption and exploitation of farmers and traders during lifting of procured wheat grain, the state has introduced e-tendering for labour and cartage contractors and transport contractors from the coming rabi season.

The e-tendering for transport contractors begins tomorrow while that for labour and cartage contractors will start on February 7.

“This will end corruption in the tenders for labour and bring transparency in the system,” said Ram Niwas, Additional Chief Secretary, Food and Supplies Department.

He said those willing to participate in e-tendering for transport contract could enter their bids online till February 12 while those for labour and cartage contracts could do the same till February 14. The bids will be checked on February 15 and will be opened on February 20.

“This is for the first time that we have also allowed Arhtiya Associations to enter their bids so that the rates are competitive and there is no exploitation of farmers and grain market traders,” said Ram Niwas.

He said for this, the government had waived the condition of 3-year experience required for a contractor for entering one’s bid in case of Arhtiya Associations.

Arhtiyas Associations, are however, not satisfied with the announcement. Surinder Minchnabadi, president of Sirsa District Arhtiya Association said the government had merely waived the condition of 3-year experience for them, but the rest of the conditions were still there.

The conditions required Arhtiyas to deposit registration certificates and consent from a given number of truck owners which was not possible for them.

“If the government was interested in giving work of labour, cartage and transportation to us, it could have given it on average rates of the past three years. Now, we will have to compete with professional contractors which is not possible for us,” said Minchnabadi.

Transportation, labour and cartage contracts have always been the backbone of contention in the grain markets as often local ruling party politicians corner these and then the truckers fleece traders and eventually the farmers by charging unauthorised charges for lifting of crops early.