PAC directs govt. to cancel second package contract on express way

Kathmandu: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives has directed the government to cancel the second package contract on construction of bridge and tunnel under Kathmandu-Tarai Express Way and announce fresh bid for it.    
    
The government was made aware that only one construction company was picked from pre-qualification, thereby avoiding competition. It was stressed at the PAC meeting that necessary documents, directives and process should be finalized on time while issuing the bid for international companies on large construction projects. The PAC meeting was attended by Secretary at Defense Ministry, Reshmi Raj Pande, and technical officials associated with the projects run by Nepal Army.    
    
The PAC Chairperson Bharat Kumar Shah said although the Public Procurement Act has the provision of selecting multiple companies for pre-qualification round, only one company was selected. Such non-implementation of law made by the parliamentarians must end, he added.    
    
He argued that there were legal flaws on selection of contract for express way project. For not having multiple companies in pre-qualification round, there is high chances that contract will be made on the cost lower than estimate.    
    
Similarly, project chief Bikash Pokhrel shared that there were two packages for construction of three tunnels. In the bidding for the contract on construction of tunnel and bridges, 21 companies had applied for first package and 22 in the second package. But, Nepal Army had selected two in the first package and one in the second package in the pre-qualification round.