Consultancies boss over VMC works

Vijayawada,Nov 9: Consulting firms have an upper hand in the decision-making process before the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (Vmc) takes up a development activity involving crores of rupees.The Vmc has to depend on the consulting firms even to take up minor works. Though the Vmc has to bear the financial burden, the guidelines are such that they have to compulsorily hire the services of these firms before releasing the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) funds.The BRTS (Bus Rapid Terminal Service) works is being taken up by the Vmc. For this purpose, a consultancy firm was hired at a cost of Rs 12 lakh to prepare a project report. Already, Rs 6 lakh has been paid as advance to the firm. Another firm was hired for Rs 1.63 crore to oversee the work of BRTS project and Rs 76.27 lakh has already been paid.

Altogether, the Vmc had to shell out Rs 6 crore.As many as 19 civic works are being taken up with an investment of Rs 1420 crore in the city. According to the JNNURM guidelines, the Vmc has to get detailed project reports from these consulting firms. Although the Corporation was not interested on these firms, it had to follow the guidelines by taking additional burden. JNNURM guidelines stipulate allocation of five per cent of the cost of work to the consulting firm. As many as 13 consultancy firms were involved to prepare detailed project reports like how to lay roads, how to supply water etc.The Corporation employees could do all these works but for the guidelines all and sundry works are being allotted the consulting firms. ``Our staff could prepare many of these reports better but the guidelines are such that we could do little without these consultancies if we have to follow the guidelines,''rued a senior Vmc official.