Construction Association Head Praises New Government's Push to Amend Public Procurement Act

Kathmandu. The Chairman of the Nepal Contractors' Association, Rabi Singh, has positively viewed the interest and proactiveness shown by the newly elected government led by Balendra Sah in amending the Public Procurement Act. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 26th General Assembly and 13th Convention of the Association, he stated that construction entrepreneurs have enthusiastically welcomed the government's initiative to reform laws related to the infrastructure sector.

He mentioned that the Prime Minister Balendra Sah, along with the leadership of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has shown signs of moving the country in the right direction from the initial days, according to the new mandate given by the people. Chairman Singh informed that the government has already formed a committee to revise all laws, acts, and regulations affecting the infrastructure sector, including the Public Procurement Act, within 30 days.

He noted that assigning the task force, formed under the coordination of a Joint Secretary from the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, to prepare a draft within 5 days confirms the government's swift working style. He interpreted the government's rapid pace in addressing the demands of construction entrepreneurs as a historic step.

He claimed that misgovernance and corruption have flourished in the country because the Public Procurement Act, implemented in B.S. 2063, has not been amended in an infrastructure-friendly manner and the laws have not been implementable. Singh pledged that the construction sector would fully support the Rastriya Swatantra Party in fulfilling its manifesto promises of ending corruption, establishing good governance, and creating 1.2 million jobs.

Informing that approximately 700,000 Indian workers are currently employed in Nepal's construction sector, he argued that if this sector alone is energized, it is immediately possible to displace those Indian workers and provide employment to Nepalis. Considering the construction sector as the carrier of prosperity, he stated that entrepreneurs will move forward shoulder-to-shoulder with the new government's campaign.

Referring to a recent meeting with the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Chairman Singh shared that the Minister gave a strong indication regarding controlling the rampant corruption in the construction sector. He stated that, as per the Minister's request and directive, the Association immediately convened a committee meeting and issued a special circular to construction entrepreneurs across the country.

Entrepreneurs have been instructed not to engage in any extra payments or improper transactions with employees or anyone else when submitting bills or signing contracts from now on. He clarified that if pressure for improper transactions arises from anywhere, the issue will be brought directly to the Minister through the Association to expose the problem and seek a solution.

He stated that they are ready to cooperate with the government led by Balendra Sah to create a clean and transparent environment for the construction business.