Cultivators in a quandary due to repair of Nochchikulama Tank

The project had stalled following a hitch regarding the tender

Carrying out repairs to the tank would not be possible unless the project could be completed before the monsoon rains set in 

By Romesh Madusanka   

Although the Nochchikulama tank in Mihintale had been drained out for repairs more than a month ago the project has been stalled much to the anxiety of the people who depended on it for agriculture, fisheries and other activities such as bathing .   

They pointed out that carrying out repairs to the tank would not be possible unless the project could be completed before the monsoon rains set in. The farmer organisations in the area expressed concern that they would be left without irrigation facilities for the Maha seasons paddy cultivation.   

However a senior official of the Provincial Irrigation Department said the project had been stalled owing to a hitch regarding the tender. He said one of the unsuccessful bidders had made an appeal against the decision of the tender evaluation committee. He further said that the governor had appointed a committee to look into the issue and that the decision on the appeal is pending.   

Meanwhile a senior official of the contractor company that appealed against the decision of the tender said their tender was rejected for not fulfilling the requirements. The technical evaluation committee depended on the procurement manual of 2006. However the procurement manual had been abolished by Gazette notification on November 24.2024. We have appealed on the Gazette notification of 2024. However, the decision on our appeal is pending.” He said.