BMC shortlists fined firms for school repair contract

Despite repeatedly facing flak for shoddy work done by its contractors, the civic body seems to never learn from its mistakes.

Despite repeatedly facing flak for shoddy work done by its contractors, the civic body seems to never learn from its mistakes.

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This time, five contractors, previously indicted for substandard and tardy repair work in civic schools, have now been given new contracts again.

The civic body is set to issue 17 contracts, worth Rs64 crore, for the repair and reconstruction of civic schools. Of these, it is proposing to give six contracts to five contractors who had been penalised for shoddy work in an inquiry in 2009. The proposal will be tabled before the civic standing committee on Tuesday.

Not only that, all contractors who have been short listed have quoted between 12 and 18% less than the estimate set by the BMC, which casts a shadow over the quality of work. In 2007-2009, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had given contracts for repair work in 35 schools.

However, after several complaints of inferior quality work, a committee was set up, comprising the deputy municipal commissioner (education), zonal deputy municipal commissioner, deputy municipal commissioner (vigilance) and the municipal chief auditor.

After inspecting all the school, the committee found that all contractors had flouted quality norms. Three contractors were blacklisted, while the others were penalised.

Additional municipal commissioner, Mohan Adtani, conceded that the contractors had been fined in the past, but said that the BMC had exercised caution: "They are being short listed after scrutinising their bids."

Sena corporator Ravindra Waikar criticised the choice of contractors. "We had demanded that all these contractors be blacklisted, after the 2009 inquiry report was out. Far from that, they are now being given new contracts," he said.

Of the 1,327 civic schools in the city, 80% are dilapidated posing a threat to safety of students.