Bhubaneswar: The All Odisha Contractors Welfare Association (AOCWA) has withdrawn its 14-day protest after a successful discussion with Prithviraj Harichandan, Minister for Works, Law and Excise Department.
Three major organisations, representing around 70,000 contractors, staged a protest against the state government from February 20, asking for their 8-point charter of demands be fulfilled.
At a meeting between AOCWA representatives and the minister at Lok Seva Bhawan, the association’s demands were discussed following which the government accepted those.
“The association has withdrawn its agitation following successful discussions with the government. We are now awaiting the official notification from Govt of Odisha regarding this matter. We are thankful to Sri Prithviraj Harichandan, Hon’ble Minister, Works, Law and Excise Department, Govt of Odisha, Sri Babu Singh, Hon’ble MLA, Ekamra Bhubaneswar, Sri Jagannath Pradhan, Advisor, AOCWA, mediapersons, all the contractors across the districts of Odisha for their support in finding out a solution for the Contractors Fraternity,” said AOCWA president Jagdish Patra.
Following are the demands discussed:
1. Cancellation of Circular: Immediate withdrawal of Works Department Circular No. 07764600022025173 (dated 03.01.2026) and Limiting the Coating of its to SoR that is 0.00% of the base price.
Decision – There will be no capping and the government will strengthen the APS.
2. SOR Fixation: Regular annual fixation of the Schedule of Rates (SOR) as per codal provisions if not yearly increment of 15% over SoR each year.
Decision – Government will give new notification by 15th April. Every year government will issue a new notification on SOR in accordance to the CPWD prices.
3. Increase in Tender Limit: Raising the maximum tender value for Short Tender Call Notices from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
Decision – Maximum tender value for Short Tender Call Notices will remain Rs 5 lakh.
4. One State, One Law: Implementation of a uniform Standard Bidding Document (SBD) across the state with the inclusion of an Arbitration Clause.
Decision – State government will work on this and notify within next 2 months.
5. Mineral Resource Issues: Preparation of a list of functional mines and clear mention of the specific mine name in tender documents.
Decision – Since this is under the purview of the Department of Mines, the concerned Departments will discuss with the Department of Mines and find a solution.
6. Penalty Waiver: Abolition of per-day penalty system during Sanction the extension of Time.
Decision – The state government will consider this sympathetically.
7. Price Escalation Accounting: Finalisation of Escalation bill payment occurred between 2012 and 2019.
Decision – State government is working on this to find out a solution with in a short period.
8. WAMIS Transfer: To eliminate undue delays due to WAMIS management maintained by Rural Development Department, to be transferred to the Parent Department that is Works Department’s e-Procurement Cell.
Decision – The State Govt is working on this to find out a solution with in a week.
