Kohima, 21 July (MTNews): The Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) has made an appeal to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, urging him to allot a ‘One Firm/One Work’ order during the third phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Nagaland. The Union highlighted the need for fair work distribution among local contractors to foster inclusive development in the state.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the NCSU revealed that they have learnt through reliable sources that the Government of India, under the Rural Development department, is planning to undertake 40 PMGSY Projects in Nagaland. However, the union expressed concern over their learning that the Government is planning to allot work to only 16 firms. In this regard, the NCSU stated that although there are many local Class-1 Registration Contractors, only “very few firms are privileged” and hence, many other firms are left “high and dry.”
Additionally, the NCSU also reminded the authorities of the guidelines set forth by the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) for the PMGSY. The guidelines specify that a minimum of 15% of road length must be constructed using New Technologies, including the utilization of plastic waste in road construction and that the work will be packaged so as to attract competent contractors.
“States and Union Territories would mandatorily construct roads under PMGSY-III by also using plastics waste within the minimum 15% of road length prescribed for new technologies as envisaged in the detailed guidelines issued by NRIDA. And works will be packaged so as to attract competent contractors with modern machinery and equipment, and capable of nurturing small contractors,” the Union stated.
Therefore, to deliver justice, the President of NCSU, Pele Khezie, and General Secretary, John Kath, suggested to the Chief Minister to approve the issuance of work orders to each of the 40 deserving firms for the effective execution of the project work.