Forum

The tender and sub-contracting system in Kerala is not a transparent efficient method of delegating work. The age-old approach needs to be reviewed and thoroughly recast. In present times, the nexus between the politician, the contractor, the sub-contractor and the engineer or the sanctioning authority is dominating the development works. Therefore, this has become a ‘chicken and egg’ syndrome.

This vicious circle must be first broken by the state government by calling every tender on alternative basis as a rule, insisting and giving preference to scientific objective quality controls by the use of materials having Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or Indian Standards Institute (ISI) norms and marks, which will be in the best public interests. Recently the government of Kerala has taken the epoch-making progressive step of reserving some works by the name of a proven classified industry. Different High Courts and even the Supreme Court has declared this Government Order as the best in the public interests many times.

Still the vested interests holding positions of authority both in and out of government, are trying their best to sabotage the industry even by abusing their position and power reposed by the public on the new approach of the government. In Kerala property development will get accelerated only if there is a foolproof, transparent system in place with respect to the funds allotted and the way the decisions involving urban development are being taken.

Many a times, the Housing Minister in charge of housing developments may not be a qualified person to deal with such a tricky department. In such a scenario, the concerned officials in charge of the department will be calling the shots. In many instances since most of the higher appointments are made on political considerations, the quality of work is not up to the mark.