AKN
----- Original Message ----- From: "Barua25" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Anjan K. Nath" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Alpana B. Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[email protected]>; "Chan Mahanta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 1:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Assam] roads in assam
>They are contracted out to private contractors. Bigger the project, >higher
the chances itwill go to contractors in Kolkata or Delhi or wherever. So, just because itis executed by outside contractors, does not >automatically mean the quality
of work would meet minimum requirements
Xutrodhar - Ei xobhaxodo! Putting words in mouth of raiz!!!
Bhaworia - Aha! It seems, we are almost getting there. The probl;em is the
big contracts go outside Assam, and that is the problem. The poor people of
Assam are being exploited and they simply donot have any voice in the road
construction specially of the big projects. For the PWD engineers, their
hands are tight. What they will do? They cannot do anything. If somehow we
could hold these contracts within Guwahati or Jorhat or Janji or Namti, we
could make it. The GOI will not support us. Only way we can do this is to
grab power in our hand.
Xutrodhar - Xuvo xuvo!!!
Bhaworiar prosthan!
Rajen
----- Original Message ----- From: "Chan Mahanta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Anjan K. Nath" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Barua25"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Alpana B. Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 9:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Assam] roads in assam
Anjan:
I understand everything you say. And I have no doubt that your anecdotal accounts do indeed represent the state of affairs.
But you are missing the point that the defaulters are integral part of the Indian system of governance, where those entrusted with responsibilities never have to account for anything. And they do not represent the people of Assam.
There are many fine people in Assam, just like you and Rajen and Kamal. They are moral, they are able and given the opportunity, will serve the people just as well or better than Rajasthanis, Tamils or Karanatakis. And they are in the Govt, too, even in the PWD.
But the Indian governmental system would not support or reward the able, the honest, the dutiful. On the other hand, corruption and dereliction of duty pays. Those who indulge in it get ahead.
It is not like that the people of Assam are less moral than Rajasthanis or Tamils or Haryanis. Their circumstances are different. Only the intellectually challenged and the deeply ignorant would judge them in comparison .
Finally road building technology is one of the lowest of technologies. It is all in execution. Execution needs quality assurance. And the final product must be warrantable. If it fails somebody must account for it. In Indian government there is no such requirement of accountability. If the road fails in one monsoon, tough s--t.
And guess what--most of the work run by the PWD or other govt. agencies are NOT executed by govt. employees. They are contracted out to private contractors. Bigger the project, higher the chances it will go to contractors in Kolkata or Delhi or wherever. So, just because it is executed by outside contractors, does not automatically mean the quality of work would meet minimum requirements. The proof is everywhere you look at. Because quality or price are rarely the criteria for winning these contracts: bribery , nepotism and corrupt practices are. Again, how would you hold the responsible accountable?
It all boils down to enforcement of accountability. If it does not exist, quality would always be on a downward spiral. Does not matter if it is the Narmada canal that breached the moment water started flowing or Dhwdor Ali pavement that fails right after the first monsoon.
c
At 6:11 AM +0800 4/14/05, Anjan K. Nath wrote: >Chan, >Take heart man, things are going right and all is well with the >roads in Guwahati, at least. > >I suppose some of us are not aware that the major roads of Guwahati >are now being maintained by a private company and that the money is >disbursed directly from Central funds. Only the smaller roads and >"municipal" roads are now "supposedly" looked after by the PWD >(People With Disabilities). So, in a way, Rajasthan has come to >Assam. > >Again, the stretch of the National Highway that runs from the >Beltola area to Jhalukbari (10 km or so) has been constructed by an >"outside" construction company under NHI specifications and it is >standing up to the test of the Assamese soil and rain (so far at >least). I would have liked to see the road elevated slightly more, >but then ... who am I to question it. > >Remember the time when the PWD went into throes over this issue and >the PWD Minister and Secretary PWD announced in the Legislative >Assembly that the Assam PWD was fully capable of "road construction" >and disbursing the Rs 1,000 cr allocated for the purpose. There >were so many "letters to the editors" of the various newspapers >laughing at the PWD that they did not dare protest any further as >the contract went out to the "foreigners" with "proven track >records." > >No, you are not wrong in thinking in that vein. It is actually >happening. Now we can call bandhs, blow up a few bridges, disrupt >public life, and say that Delhi treats us in a step-motherly >fashion. Or what next? > >Anjan >----- Original Message ----- From: "Chan Mahanta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Barua25" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Alpana B. Sarangapani" ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; ><[email protected]> >Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 4:23 AM >Subject: Re: [Assam] roads in assam > >>Oooh, looks like I touched a raw nerve :-). >> >>But the theory of 'People are Bad, the System is Fine', is not >>mine. I like to receive credit for credit-worthy things, but can't >>take credit for what is not my discovery or invention. >> >>Since Assam road conditions have been firmly attributed to the >>absence of morality among the people of Assam, its politicians, its >>PWD and ineptitude of Assam Civil Engineers and no mention was made >>of the system that promotes and sustains such attributes; one would >>have to conclude the Assamese are not qualified to build their >>roads and do not deserve to govern itself. >> >>Under the circumstances, would it NOT be reasonable to entrust >>Assam's road work with people with proven track-records, such as >>Rajasthanis or Delhiwallas? >> >>Or could there be some fallacy in this thought process? If there >>is, what is it? >>What then would be the AMENDED theory of 'People are Bad, the >>System is Fine'? >> >>Can't wait to hear that :-).
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