A delegation of leaders from the Tipra Motha Party on Tuesday met senior officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) after concerns emerged over restrictions on contractors registered under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) from participating in certain government tenders.
The delegation included MLAs Ranjit Debbarma, Philip Kumar Reang, and Pathan Lal Jamatia, along with MDC members Suraj Debbarma and James Debbarma. They held discussions with PWD Chief Engineer Rajib Majumder regarding the issue.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MLA Ranjit Debbarma alleged that contractors holding licences issued by the TTAADC were recently prevented from taking part in tender processes related to PWD Roads & Bridges and National Highway works.
He stated that the move had created dissatisfaction among tribal contractors, especially since such restrictions reportedly do not apply to tenders floated by several other government departments.
“The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Engineer seeking clarification on the matter. We were informed that the decision was taken at a higher administrative level and that our concerns would be forwarded to the concerned authorities,” Debbarma said.
He further added that the party plans to raise the issue with the PWD Secretary and also bring it to the notice of Chief Minister Manik Saha.
According to the delegation, contractors registered under autonomous district councils in neighbouring states are allowed to participate in public tender processes without similar limitations, and they urged the state government to review the current policy.
