Bhubaneswar: All Odisha Contractors’ Association on Thursday pressed a charter of demands before the state govt, ranging from reforms in bidding norms to price escalation relief and easing of digital procedures.One of the primary demands of contractors was the reconsideration of negative bid capping and the associated additional performance security (APS), which they argue places a financial burden on bidders and discourages fair competition.Another major concern raised by the contractors relates to the revision of the schedule of rates (SoR). Contractors have long sought more realistic and frequent updates to reflect market price fluctuations.Responding to this, the govt indicated that SoR-2026 would be released soon and updated annually. The association flagged issues in the tendering framework, particularly seeking greater flexibility through joint ventures and subcontracting provisions.In response, officials confirmed that a revised standard bidding document is being prepared and will incorporate these elements, potentially enabling broader participation and project execution capacity.Holding a presser, contractors further expressed dissatisfaction over the updated quarry list, citing difficulties in sourcing construction materials. The public works department has agreed to take up the matter with the steel and mines department.Among financial issues, Pravat Dash, chairman of the association, strongly demanded resolution of pending price escalation claims for the period 2012 -2019, which remains unsettled.On procedural issues, he highlighted challenges in smaller works tenders and sought clarity and simplification. The govt, in response, iterated that existing guidelines for works up to Rs 5 lakh must be followed.Additionally, concerns were raised regarding penal provisions and contractor blacklisting, with demands for uniformity and transparency. Authorities stated that guidelines of CPWD and the ministry of road transport and highways would be followed in the matter.The contractors also emphasised the need for improved digital infrastructure, particularly simplification of the WAMIS portal, which is widely used for project management and payments. The govt assured that steps would be taken to streamline the platform.
