Ranchi, Nov 22: The Jharkhand government is preparing to introduce significant changes in the state’s tender regulations. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Seva Adhikar Week in Palamu’s Panki constituency, Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore has announced that contractors will no longer be allowed to bid below 10 percent of the estimated project cost.
During the event on Friday, the minister said that the proposal will soon be placed before the state cabinet. Citing an example, he said that a contractor had recently quoted 48 percent lower on a ₹75-lakh project in his constituency, which raises serious doubts over the quality of work and such practices make reforms necessary.
Meanwhile, Kishore also accused the Central government of stopping funds meant for the state. He said that the ₹30 crore expected from the Centre till November has not been released.
He further said that for the Jal-Nal Yojna, a total budget of ₹12,600 crore was approved, out of which the state government has already released ₹6,300 crore. However, the minister claimed that the Centre has refused to provide its share, causing delays in projects.
During the event, the minister directed officials to work with sensitivity, especially in Naxal-affected areas. Referring to Palamu as a Naxal-affected region, he urged officials to perform their duties with full honesty and dedication.
Meanwhile, Panki MLA Dr. Shashibhushan Mehta also criticised the administration for negligence. He highlighted that the Manatu block has had no BDO for three years, the Tarhasi block is short of COs, and the situation in Lesliganj is deteriorating.
He further said that the delay in starting the paddy procurement process is forcing farmers to depend on middlemen. The MLA repeated his demand for an inquiry into the Panki Degree College and the submerged Chhatarpur bridge.
Earlier, the event began at the Shaheed Nilambar-Pitambar memorial site. Significantly, the event was originally scheduled to be conducted by Chief Minister Hemant Soren however, due to his absence, Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore had to inaugurate it.
