Kendrapara, Dec. 29: Authorities are taking pre-emptive measures to curb tender fixing of government civil construction works - that has reared its ugly head in the district.

The trend of tender fixing and extortion had put both police and the state government's civil construction divisions in a spot of bother. Questions were being raised on the government's claim of transparency in execution of major projects in the district.

The gangsters of Kendrapara-based crime syndicates are allegedly masterminding the tender fixing in various construction division offices. Though many of them are now behind the bar, the lawbreakers were calling the shots and carrying out the fixing racket through cell phones from the prisons.

A section of contractors are believed to maintain close ties with the gangsters and getting the contract awarded in their favour by coercive tactics.

'We are in receipt of conclusive feedback of tender process being rigged by act of intimidation. As a result, major government projects in irrigation, public works, coastal embankment and rural development jobs have become the worth casualty. There are reports of contractors, who have bagged the contract work, being extorted by criminal elements. A number of construction firms and contractors are shying away from taking part in the tender-bidding process,' said Kendrapara collector Pramod Kumar Dash.

A high-level meeting, in which heads of various construction divisions and district police was held last week to put an end to the tender fixing of civil construction works.

The administration has chalked out strategies to curb the practice. Police security would be provided to the contractors if they require so. The act of intimidation would be sternly dealt with. The tender-bidding process would be videographed to maintain transparency in the execution of project works, Dash said.

The tender fixing is being executed by way of intimidation and muscle power. The police are keeping close watch on it, said Kendrapara superintendent of police Satish Kumar Gajaviye. The rival bidders are staying away from the process following receipt of threats from criminals. Though tender for the projects worth Rs 10 lakh or above is being done through e-tender, criminals are issuing threat to bidders asking them not to get involved in it, police said.