SHILLONG: The Electronic Tendering or eTendering system will soon be introduced in PMGSY schemes in the State necessitating contractors to file their tenders on-line since no paper tenders would be entertained.
As per the fresh guidelines of the PMGSY schemes, funded by World Bank, it is mandatory for the Government to adopt this new system.
PWD Chief Engineer (Standard) MM Sunn said from Phase VI onwards all tendering has to be done via the internet and no paper tenders would not be allowed in order to ensure transparency and zero manipulation in the system.
“As World Bank would be funding the project, greatest transparency has been demanded in the implementation of road projects,” the official said.
He also informed that the Government has initiated steps to provide training on eTendering to the local contractors, many of whom are sending their children due to their old age.
He also said one of the main criteria for eTendering is that the contractors should possess a digital signature certificate to provide authenticity to the tenders filed by them and to keep away those who are not serious about contract works.
“A valid digital signature gives a recipient reason to believe that the message was created by a known sender, and that it was not altered in transit,” the PWD Chief Engineer said.
Digital signatures are commonly used for software distribution, financial transactions, and in other cases where it is important to detect forgery or tampering.
Admitting that e-tendering is a tough exercise, Sunn said, “We still have to cover a long way to ensure that the process becomes workable even in projects funded by the State Government.”
Under the first batch of Phase VI of PMGSY, the State targets to connect 34 habitations with all-weather roads with an expected expenditure of Rs 94.81 crore with an estimated road length of 104.26km.