In a move aimed at breaking the contractor-official-corporator nexus that is misusing the taxpayers' money and affecting the quality of work, the civic body has decided to scrap the system of appointing civil works contractors to do local-level repair and maintenance work. The BMC has spent Rs4,414 crore in the past five years on civic works such as repair of minor roads and footpaths, building of toilets and installation of streetlights.

HT had in March published a series of reports on irregularities in the civil works contracts’ system and details of the internal note by the BMC’s chief accountant, criticising the system. In its March 30 edition, HT had reported that the BMC was considering changing the old system. Last week, the civic administration finally decided to scrap it.

Currently, one contractor is appointed to carry out civil works in two wards. Sources revealed that a new system is being worked out in which the BMC will tender out each work to be done at the local level to a selected panel of contractors so there would be no fixed contractors for specific areas. The work would go to the contractor who makes the lowest bid.

Corporators, who have previously opposed any attempt to rein in contractors, are likely to oppose this move.

BMC chief Sitaram Kunte was not available for comment.