The Odisha Contractors’ Association Joint Forum staged a massive protest in the PMG area of Bhubaneswar on Friday, alleging irregularities in the state government’s tender policies and demanding immediate implementation of its eight-point charter of demands.
Thousands of contractors reportedly participated in the demonstration, raising slogans and urging the government to review recent changes introduced in the tender process. The protest highlighted growing discontent within the contractor community over what they describe as policy decisions that may adversely affect transparency and fairness.
The association alleged that modifications made to the tender system could compromise transparency in awarding construction-related works. Traditionally, government contracts are awarded through a competitive tendering process designed to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.
However, the Joint Forum claimed that certain new provisions in the revised rules may create scope for manipulation during tender submission and evaluation. According to the association, the changes could disadvantage genuinely eligible contractors while allegedly allowing officials to favour selected individuals.
Opposing the revised policies, the Joint Forum has written to Members of the Legislative Assembly, seeking their intervention and urging the fulfilment of its eight-point demands. Among their key demands is the abolition of specific policy provisions and a call for preference to be given to Odia contractors over non-Odia bidders in government projects.
The association warned that if the government fails to address their concerns, the agitation could continue for an indefinite period.
Police personnel were deployed at the PMG protest site to maintain order. Visuals from the demonstration showed police pushing back protesters as authorities sought to control the crowd.
