GSWSS contractors refuse to work at same rate

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 3, 2019

SHILLONG: Contractors, who were awarded with the implementation of the package II of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) phase III, today expressed their inability to continue the work at the same rate given to them during 2007-08. 

This came following the decision of the state government to avail loan of Rs 105 crore for the completion of the project. 

In a letter to the PHE chief engineer, KD Talukdar, the contractors said, “We would like to inform that it will not be possible for us to continue to work at the same rate (2007-08). We presumed that PHE department have revised our rates and have included the same in the Rs 105 crore (which) the government is proposing to take loan, since our works was not stopped by us arbitrarily but by the government itself.” 

They said that the contract for laying of new distribution networks for the seven urban centres of Shillong Agglomeration was awarded to them during 2011-12 based on the schedule of rates (SOR) 2007-08. 

“Though all of us have taken up the works for laying of pipes in and around Shillong, PWD withdrew the permission accorded to PHED thereafter, sometimes during 2013-14 resulting in stoppage of the works since then,” they stated. 

The contractors also informed that thought it was reported that the land hurdle is cleared for laying of pipes for GSWSS phase III, the PHE department however is yet to intimate about the resuming of the work.