Pune: Contractors Get Work Orders Without Contracts Due to Election Code of Conduct
Pune, 17th October 2024: In a move aimed at preventing project delays due to the election code of conduct, Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale has ordered the issuance of work orders to contractors without requiring them to first sign a formal contract. This decision, a temporary shift from the existing policy, has brought significant relief to contractors, with many receiving work orders just ahead of the Diwali season.
Earlier, a directive issued in July stated that contractors were required to sign a contract before work orders could be issued. This step aimed to prevent contractors from delaying the signing of agreements, ensuring that all procedures were completed before any work commenced. The order came after it was observed that contractors, along with officials such as junior and executive engineers, were neglecting the process, often delaying the signing of contracts until the first bill was drawn. In response, a circular was issued by Chief Engineer Anirudh Pavaskar, reinforcing the rule that work orders should only be given after contracts were signed and all required formalities completed.
However, with the announcement of the assembly election code of conduct in October, contractors and officials began raising concerns that the mandatory contract-signing process would delay the start of new projects. They feared work orders would not be released in time, potentially stalling projects worth hundreds of crores. Upon reviewing the situation, Commissioner Bhosale agreed to temporarily suspend the July directive, allowing work orders to be issued without signed contracts until the assembly elections are over.
“Orders to issue work orders without agreements are limited to the assembly elections only. Contractors are required to sign the contracts as soon as possible after receiving the work orders,” said Chief Engineer Pavaskar, clarifying that the relaxation of rules is temporary.
In recent days, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved over 500 works across various departments, including solid waste management, road development, water supply, parks, and wastewater management, totaling around Rs 500 crore. Most of these work orders were issued in the last five to six days, thanks to the relaxation of the contract-signing process.
This decision has created a wave of relief and celebration among contractors and municipal officials alike, as they can now proceed with their projects without procedural delays during the festive season. The shift is expected to ensure that essential municipal works continue without interruption during the election period.
While the work orders are being issued now, contractors will still need to fulfill their contractual obligations, including signing the required agreements, once the election code of conduct ends.
“We have made it clear that contractors must sign their contracts immediately after receiving the work orders. This is a temporary measure to ensure no project gets stuck due to the election code,” reiterated Pavaskar.
The issuance of work orders without contracts is expected to continue until the end of the assembly election period, after which the original policy will be reinstated.
