Zilla Thikadar Mahasangh Alleges Tender Norm Violations Against PA, ITDA, Rayagada in Works Worth Over ₹5 Crore
Rayagada, July 14: At around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, a delegation of the Rayagada Zilla Thikadar Mahasangh, led by its president Satya Padhi, met Chandrakant Majhi, Project Administrator (PA), ITDA, Rayagada, at his office and held a face-to-face discussion over what the association described as serious irregularities and favouritism in the award of contract works.
During the interaction, the Mahasangh alleged that a close relative of the PA, ITDA had permitted his contractor’s licence to be used for obtaining ITDA contract works, raising concerns over the fairness of the tendering process. The association also alleged that Ashok Sethi, Junior Engineer (JE), and Trilochan Sethi, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), were extending undue support to an outside contractor in the award of ITDA contract works.
The Mahasangh further alleged that contract works worth more than ₹5 crore had been awarded to an outside contractor in alleged violation of the prescribed government guidelines and tender norms. It claimed that the contracts were awarded by overlooking the interests of eligible local contractors and demanded a transparent inquiry into the entire tendering process. The association urged the ITDA administration to ensure fairness, transparency and strict adherence to government rules while awarding contracts.
It is pertinent to note that Ashok Sethi, JE, has been serving in ITDA, Rayagada, for around 10 years. According to sources, transfer orders issued in his favour on two occasions were subsequently cancelled, allowing him to continue at the same place of posting. The reasons behind the cancellation of the transfer orders could not be independently verified.
The allegations were made by the Rayagada Zilla Thikadar Mahasangh and have not been independently verified. The response of PA, ITDA Chandrakant Majhi, as well as the officials named by the association, was not available at the time of filing this report. Their version will be published once received.
