GCC asked to consider contractors’ plea for more time to complete tender works

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Chennai Corporation to consider and take a call on a representation by Class-1 contractors seeking extension of duration to complete the tenders awarded in the 2019-2020 period.

Justice R Sureshkumar passed the injunction directing the Chennai Corporation to decide within four weeks on the representation given by Class-1 contractors welfare association represented by petitioner Sen Varghese. The petitioner had prayed for a direction to the Chennai Corporation (GCC) to give at least 50% of the additional duration said in the agreement while the contract was awarded.

“The State has awarded several contracts in 2019-2020 asking us to complete those works within six to 12 months. However, due to pandemic-induced lockdown, we were not in a position to do any works from March to September 2020 as many migrant labours returned to their natives,” Sen Varghese submitted through his counsel V Ilangovan.

He further said when the lockdown norms were partially relaxed in September 2020, the cost of the materials including cement and steel had gone high. “While we started some works after the first lockdown, the date for state Assembly polls was announced and the model code of conduct was in force from February 2021 to April 2021. Therefore, we could not move money and materials. Subsequently, the lockdown was imposed again due to the second wave in April 2021,” Varghese said in his affidavit.

“Though we gave representation to the GCC in June 2021 to extend the time to complete works, it was not considered. The corporation said it has passed a resolution granting extra time to contractors who involve in bus road department works. However, it did not give any extra time for other contractors involved in other works including storm water drain construction,” he noted.

Due to pandemic-induced lockdown, we were not in a position to do any works from March to September 2020, as many migrant labours returned to their natives

— Sen Varghese, petitioner