Maharashtra: Benefits given to retd engineers to work as contractors curtailed

“We had raised this issue of granting concession to retired government engineers at a time when a number of private, young engineers keep waiting for one opportunity,” said Milind Bhosle, president, Maharashtra State Contractors Association and State Engineer Association.

On September 21, the Public Works Department issued a government resolution where a number of benefits extended to former government engineers were curtailed. The civil engineers and electrical engineers who retire from the post below Executive Engineer will get work up to Rs 90 lakh and Rs 10 lakh only. While those from higher position can get work up to Rs 1.5 crore and 25 lakh respectively.

The retired employees will have to furnish no-pendency and no-inquiry NOC from the authority. The concessions in terms of annual turnover, audit, solvency certificate, work done and work in hand will be applicable for five years only if they are registering as contractor for the first time.

Those who have registered it earlier will get concession in qualifying criteria for two years since the time of registering. The concession in depositing additional performance security deposit has been cancelled. The concessions will be applicable only if registration is done within five years since retirement.

Bhosle said those retire from government services already stand at an advantage as they know the process of tendering and awarding contracts. “These officers get government pension in thousands. Despite that they want to venture into this after retirement. It was extremely wrong on the government’s side to grant them concession. If they are so efficient then don’t retire them. But do not deny work to young engineers,” he said.

PWD minister Ravindra Chavan held a meeting which decided to curtail the benefits granted to retired government engineers. “We are half-satisfied as several benefits still exists. We will be launching a state-wide agitation if registration of these retired officials is not cancelled,” he said.