Gurgaon: A day after the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (SV&ACB) arrested a computer operator in MCG’s engineering wing for allegedly accepting a Rs 12,000 bribe, contractors have alleged that the case points to a wider problem in the processing and clearance of civic works bills.Those associated with MCG Contractors Union said demands for illegal payments arise at multiple stages of a project, from allotment of work to the processing and clearance of bills. They stressed, however, that the allegations do not apply to all engineers or civic officials.“There are some engineers who engage in what amounts to blackmailing contractors. The issue is not limited to one level. Contractors come up with such complaints against officials ranging from executive engineers to junior engineers. At the same time, it would be wrong to say that all officers and engineers are involved,” said Manish Saidpur, a contractor and president of MCG Contractors Union. Saidpur said they will now be more willing to approach the anti-corruption agency when such demands are made.According to state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau, computer operator Pawan Kumar, who was working with MCG through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN), was arrested on Friday evening while allegedly accepting Rs 12,000 from a contractor.The bureau said the contractor had completed around 90% of a renovation project at a cremation ground, estimated to cost about Rs 28 lakh. His pending bill was around Rs 23 lakh. He had complained of an alleged demand of Rs 92,000 to get the bill processed. Of this, Rs 80,000 had allegedly already been paid before the contractor was asked to pay another Rs 12,000. SV&ACB then laid a trap and arrested Kumar.“We have consistently had contractors coming to us with complaints that they are being asked for bribes to get their bills approved and processed. Since we are office-bearers of the union, officials or engineers generally do not approach us directly for such payments. But individual contractors say they face these demands, and the issue needs to be addressed,” said Manish Bhardwaj, a contractor and chairperson of the union.Contractors also alleged that such unofficial payments can ultimately affect the quality, cost and timely completion of public works.Another person, who has worked on several MCG projects and requested anonymity, alleged that illegal payments could substantially eat into a contractor’s margins.“Take a project of Rs 100 as an example. A contractor may have to pay Rs 5 at the time of allotment, followed by a payment of Rs 10 to engineers when bills are raised and additional amount of Rs 10 to other people involved in moving the file. If Rs 25 or more is ultimately lost through such payments, he is left with a substantially reduced amount to execute the work,” this person said, adding that the practice could have a direct bearing on the quality and completion of public works.“If a contractor is forced to absorb such costs, the question is how he can maintain the required quality and complete the work within the available amount. Ultimately, the financial burden of these alleged practices can affect the quality of civic works delivered to the public,” he said.Responding to the allegations, MCG chief engineer Vijay Dhaka told TOI, “I convene a meeting with the union twice a month to address any such issues. If any contractor faces any such situation, they should bring it to me directly. I have also directed the engineers not to delay any file without any valid reason.”
