PHE Minister breaks silence on ‘favouritism’ allegations

Rs 1,900-crore projects awarded to BAC Infratech Pvt Ltd through transparent tendering process: Marcuise

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 20: Breaking his silence on the allegations of “favouritism” in the award of contracts worth nearly Rs 1,900 crore to a Hyderabad-based firm, PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak on Wednesday maintained that all projects were allotted strictly through a transparent tendering process based on merit and technical eligibility.

Responding to questions on RTI findings by The Shillong Times that reportedly showed infrastructure projects were awarded to BAC Infratech Pvt Ltd, PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak said the allegation that the government “favoured” any particular firm was “totally incorrect”.

He said that the department followed all norms and procedures required to award contracts, particularly under major centrally sponsored schemes. He stated that the total cost of projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) alone stood at 6,737.14 crore, covering 3,762 stand-alone schemes along with pipe water supply provisions for schools, Anganwadi centres, and other public institutions.

According to Marak, the projects were distributed among various contractors and firms through a process overseen by a tender committee headed by the Commissioner and Secretary of the PHE Department, with officials from the Finance and Law departments also involved.

He said the government did not “simply favour anybody” as alleged and insisted that all procedures were carried out in accordance with established norms. He added that while RTI documents may correctly show that the company secured projects, the conclusion that the contracts were awarded through favouritism was unfounded.

The minister said major projects under JJM, JICA, AMRUT 2.0, NESID, and other schemes are being executed under EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) or turnkey models as mandated by the Government of India. Under such systems, firms are required to undertake design, execution and completion of projects before handing them over to the department.

Marak said local contractors with the required technical expertise and experience for EPC and turnkey projects were “very few”, adding that companies secured the projects based on competency and qualification through the tendering process.

When asked whether any local firms had competed for the tenders, the minister said qualified local contractors would have been awarded the work if they had met the technical requirements. He maintained that there was “no scope of manipulation or favouritism” in the tendering system and reiterated that the government had complied with all regulations and guidelines of the Centre.