Tk 1604cr purchase proposals okayed

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase yesterday approved five proposals for procuring services involving Tk 1604.76 crore. 

The approval came just two days after the government has asked all ministries, except health and agriculture, not to issue work orders for any physical work during the remainder of the current fiscal year.

As a result, implementing agencies may not be able to issue work orders to contractors even after the purchase committee approved the proposals, officials said.

The finance ministry issued a circular in this regard on Monday and forwarded it to all ministries and government agencies concerned, as the government sticks to austerity policy in the face of the pandemic.

The directive came into effect immediately, according to the circular.

Asked about the matter, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, who presided over the virtual meeting of CCGP, said he was not aware of any such circulars.

"I think there is a misunderstanding here. I will clear it later," he said.

The finance ministry circular reads no "Notification of Award" can be issued for any physical work (construction/structure) under the revenue and development budget in the remainder of the current fiscal year.

The fiscal year ends on June 30. However, work against orders already issued will continue as usual.

After the bidding process completion, the CCGP approves the proposal of the successful bidder. Then the project implementing authorities issue "Notification of Award" to the successful bidder and then signs relevant contracts with it.

Each proposal, submitted by the contractor, has a validity period. However, it can be extended with approval from the authorities concerned.

THE PROPOSALS

The committee approved a proposal for extending the tenure of consultancy services for a railway project.

The project is for constructing third and fourth dual-gauge line from Dhaka to Tongi of Gazipur and constructing a second dual-gauge line from Tongi to Joydebpur.

An Indian joint venture firm was supposed to give consultancy services for two years, but now they would provide one more year's service at the cost of Tk 16.3 crore, shows document.

One project proposal is for building a jail in Narsingdi by the Public Works Department (PWD). The first phase of the project will be implemented by Noorani Construction Ltd. It will need Tk 67.30 crore, shows document.

As per another proposal, Wahid Construction will do the package-1 work of the project titled "Expansion of National Institute of Neuroscience and Hospital" for Tk 124.31 crore.

The committee also approved a proposal for building a power plant in Noakhali.

The committee yesterday cancelled the work order of a PWD project for constructing 104 large buildings in Uttara's B and C blocks in capital.

A Malaysian company was supposed to carry out the work at the cost of Tk 5,097.97 crore through public-private partnership under government-to-government initiative.

But after the change in the government of Malaysia, the present government declined to own the company and the authorities concerned could not reach the company, said Sahida Akter, an additional secretary of Cabinet Division.