Negotiation trade goes berserk , contractors hapless playthings before the ‘Mandal’ tax and extortion rackets

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, November 5, 2025

The plethora of contract works on the basis of tenders floated by the PWD department seem to have reached the brink of collapse because of the organised extortion rackets run by the ‘Mandals’ in PWD divisions across the state in general and Agartala in particular. The situation is such that registered and bona fide contractors can not even enter the PWD offices for signing agreement , drawing papers related to security deposits or for drawing payments for works executed earlier. “The activists of the ‘Mandal’ suspect that in the name of signing papers the contractors can drop tenders for new works and drive them away; there is no relief even for contractors who work at less than notified rates of the PWD department” said a registered contractor. He added that there are instances where bona fide contractors have been physically harassed by ‘Mandal’ extortionist gang only for trying to enter office. Citing an instance he said that before the ‘Durga Puja’ a listed contractor who had got a work at less than officially approved rate was beaten up by ‘Mandal mafia’ in front of the PWD division office in Netaji Chaumuhuni area of Agartala for refusing to pay up the ‘Mandal’ tax in advance. Even though the contractors association had met the West Agartala police station in deputation and pressed for action against the attackers, no action has been taken.

Sources said that among all the ‘Mandals’ the most active is the Barjala ‘Mandal’ led by Rajeev Saha as president as their activists remain on round the clock duty in the capital complex division and the medical college division offices located in a building near the ILS hospoital. “Without their prior approval no contractor can enter the office even after checking of pockets and bags by ‘Mandalites’. “The lone job of the ‘Mandal’ activists including leaders is lucrative negotiation trade for money and land deal making for commission ; they openly say that their only duty is to arrange some people by fair means or foul to attend the programmes of ministers and leaders and then to do engage in negotiation trade and do land deals for living and money; they are not bothered by any political thoughts , ideas and activism” sources said. They added that even the system of e-tendering and submission of filled up tenders online is no protection as the contractors have to physically appear in PWD divisions to sign agreements as well as to sign papers related to security deposits even after transferring money online.

Sources laughingly said that even PWD engineers and officials are subjected to searches by ‘Mandal’ gang members before entering offices as they are also suspected of carrying papers of favoured contractors in pockets and bags. Even earnest requests by people for permission to enter PWD offices do not move the ‘Mandal’ extortionist gangs. All the PWD , RD , Water Resource department offices are now practically disturbed areas barred to bona fide contractors and there is nobody government functionary to save the contractors or, inter alia, the government works from this critical situation.

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