Contractors’ association to approach court as govt clubs multiple tenders

The Maharashtra State Contractors’ Association has condemned this decision as a violation of a 2018 Bombay High Court order that had asked the state to refrain from clubbing small tenders.

contractor, Maharashtra government, road work tenders, Chief Minister Gram Sadak Yojana, small contractors

Bhosle also alleged that the consolidation of tenders is intended to simplify the management of a single large contractor at the district level. (Express Archives)

The recent decision of Maharashtra government to issue district-wise road work tenders under the Chief Minister Gram Sadak Yojana by combining multiple smaller tenders has sparked outrage among small contractors. They argue that this move effectively excludes them from bidding, favouring larger companies instead.

The Maharashtra State Contractors’ Association has condemned this decision as a violation of a 2018 Bombay High Court order that had asked the state to refrain from clubbing small tenders. The group has informed the Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers that it plans to challenge the decision in court once again.

“Traditionally, works under the CM Gram Sadak Yojana ranged between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore, allowing small contractors and unemployed engineers to participate. However, the new tenders combine multiple projects, increasing the total cost to Rs 50 to 70 crore. This makes it nearly impossible for smaller players to compete, effectively sidelining them,” Milind Bhosle, president of the Maharashtra State Contractors Association said.

Bhosle also alleged that the consolidation of tenders is intended to simplify the management of a single large contractor at the district level. “The government’s goal is to manage the incoming funds more easily through the clubbing of tenders. We oppose this move and will take legal action,” he added.

On September 19, 2017, the Maharashtra government issued a clarification regarding the Goods and Services Act, 2017, and contractors’ concerns about contract processes and conditions. It stated, “Work should be clubbed only if it involves a continuous length of road. Clubbing should not occur if the works are distinctly apart or on different roads. For maintaining good quality, the minimum road length should be 10 km, and for building maintenance, a single estimate should cover the entire building.”

Following this, the Bombay High Court on September 21, 2018, directed the state government to consult with contractors and ordered the Public Works Department not to combine road tenders. The contractors’ association plans to approach the Bombay High Court, arguing that the state government has disregarded this order.

An official from the Rural Development Department defended the move, stating, “The clubbing of tenders is aimed at ensuring better quality of road work by avoiding fragmented projects. We are not opposed to small contractors, but quality can be better maintained when a single contractor is awarded the work.”

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram