Dimapur | September 21 : A 16-member team of the Nagaland Government Registered Class 1 Contractors’ Union (NGRC-1CU) on Wednesday met authorities of the NSCN/GPRN and GPRN/NSCN at their respective offices with the agenda of seeking their support and cooperation to bring about infrastructural development for the people of Nagaland. During the meetings, the Contractors briefed representatives of the two Naga political groups on the alleged manipulations taking place under the four major road projects in the state as has been highlighted in the local dailies on September 20. The road projects are two laning of Longleng-Changtongya road; Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong road; Phek-Pfutsero road; and Zunheboto-Chakhabama road, all under SARDP-NE.
According to the contractors, a Hyderabad based firm M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV), to which the contract work has been awarded through global tender, are carrying out the works in such a way that real development will not usher into Nagaland.
The contract work was awarded at an “abnormal” price of Rs 1130/67 Crores. However, it was said that the Hyderabad based firm, instead of carrying out the works by itself, has sublet the entire works to Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd, after deducting its share of around Rs 21.74 % i.e. Rs 245.81 crores. This throws the local contractors completely out of the picture of the mega road projects.
The Contractors has said that it has no problem if the M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) carries out the works by itself. Legal adviser to NGRC-1CU, Kezhokoto Savi said that the main firm was telling its sublet firm Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd to maintain that they were representing M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV).
He said as per tender conditions, if the principal contractor instead of carrying out the entire work by itself sublets the work, then 50% of the contract works should be given to local contractors. Since the M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) has sublet the work to another firm i.e. Ratna, the NGRC-1CU are demanding that 50% of the contract works should be given to them (local contractors), Savi added.
These points were highlighted by the NGRC-1CU during their meeting with NSCN/GPRN members at its Cease-fire Monitoring Cell Office Diphupar and GPRN/NSCN members at its designated camp Khehoi. The NSCN/GPRN team was led by Kilo Kilonser, Rh. Raising and other Kilonsers. Emerging out of the meeting, the Contractors said that the NSCN/GPRN authorities have assured them of looking into the matter if the issue was genuine.
Meanwhile, during the meeting at Khehoi, NPAC convener Azheto Chophy said that the GPRN/NSCN would be “very happy” if the Contractors had come for deliberations borne out of genuine love for the Nagas. After the NGRC-1CU members’ highlighted the road project issue, Azheto said that the GPRN/NSCN would stand for the rights of the Nagas. He said , if need be, the GPRN/NSCN will have to say that if the M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) work in Nagaland they have to come in true colours. Else the local contractors should be given their due right, Azheto added. He also made a point that only few percent of central funds were reaching Nagaland and the rest vanishing in thin air on the way.
GPRN/NSCN ‘Chaplee Kilonser’ Alezo Venuh said the authorities would further deliberate and find ways on how to help the Contractors. He told the visiting NGRC-1CU members not to have any doubt on the GPRN/NSCN adding, “We will cooperate.”
The Contractors said they were in the process of meeting other Naga political groups.
According to the contractors, a Hyderabad based firm M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV), to which the contract work has been awarded through global tender, are carrying out the works in such a way that real development will not usher into Nagaland.
The contract work was awarded at an “abnormal” price of Rs 1130/67 Crores. However, it was said that the Hyderabad based firm, instead of carrying out the works by itself, has sublet the entire works to Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd, after deducting its share of around Rs 21.74 % i.e. Rs 245.81 crores. This throws the local contractors completely out of the picture of the mega road projects.
The Contractors has said that it has no problem if the M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) carries out the works by itself. Legal adviser to NGRC-1CU, Kezhokoto Savi said that the main firm was telling its sublet firm Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd to maintain that they were representing M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV).
He said as per tender conditions, if the principal contractor instead of carrying out the entire work by itself sublets the work, then 50% of the contract works should be given to local contractors. Since the M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) has sublet the work to another firm i.e. Ratna, the NGRC-1CU are demanding that 50% of the contract works should be given to them (local contractors), Savi added.
These points were highlighted by the NGRC-1CU during their meeting with NSCN/GPRN members at its Cease-fire Monitoring Cell Office Diphupar and GPRN/NSCN members at its designated camp Khehoi. The NSCN/GPRN team was led by Kilo Kilonser, Rh. Raising and other Kilonsers. Emerging out of the meeting, the Contractors said that the NSCN/GPRN authorities have assured them of looking into the matter if the issue was genuine.
Meanwhile, during the meeting at Khehoi, NPAC convener Azheto Chophy said that the GPRN/NSCN would be “very happy” if the Contractors had come for deliberations borne out of genuine love for the Nagas. After the NGRC-1CU members’ highlighted the road project issue, Azheto said that the GPRN/NSCN would stand for the rights of the Nagas. He said , if need be, the GPRN/NSCN will have to say that if the M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) work in Nagaland they have to come in true colours. Else the local contractors should be given their due right, Azheto added. He also made a point that only few percent of central funds were reaching Nagaland and the rest vanishing in thin air on the way.
GPRN/NSCN ‘Chaplee Kilonser’ Alezo Venuh said the authorities would further deliberate and find ways on how to help the Contractors. He told the visiting NGRC-1CU members not to have any doubt on the GPRN/NSCN adding, “We will cooperate.”
The Contractors said they were in the process of meeting other Naga political groups.
