Chennai: Tamil Nadu Public Works and Highways Minister Adhav on Wednesday assured contractors that future tenders would be issued with transparency and that officials demanding bribes would face action.
The minister held separate consultations with Public Works Department (PWD) contractors at Chepauk and Highways Department contractors at Guindy. He heard their concerns in detail, including issues related to GST and tax deductions.
Adhav said contractor selection would be conducted openly, allowing any eligible bidder to participate. He added that contractors would no longer need to pay a “10% commission” to politicians or officials, and urged that the savings be used for building maintenance works.
He said tenders would be awarded based on construction and maintenance requirements, and announced that a toll-free number would be released soon for contractors to register complaints.
On national highways, the minister said the state government has pressed for upgrades, and that Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has indicated up to Rs 2 lakh crore could be spent on road works in Tamil Nadu.
Officials including PWD Secretary Sunsongam Jadak Siru, Highways Secretary Selvaraj and Principal Director Selvadurai attended. Separately, “Radio Division” contractors alleged they were not invited and were denied permission to participate despite requesting entry.
