A news item has appeared in a section of press recently that some polyhouses damaged due to heavy snowfall on 28th December, 2010 in Lahaul- Spiti district.
A Government spokesman said here today that the polyhouses although were constructed as per specification approved by NABARD based upon the experience and the Government would provide more strength to the polyhouses or some other mode to be approved for snow bound areas in consultation with R&D institutions. He further said that in case the cost would increase from the NABARD cost, which would be borne by the Tribal Department under TASP or by the farmers. He said that farmers would not be allowed to be suffered for the damage caused to polyhouses as fortunately there was enough provision of warranty and insurance. He said that all the polyhouses were under warranty for two years and all have got insurance coverage and added that the company had given undertaking to rectify all the damaged polyhouses in April-May this year when the weather condition improved in Lahaul-Spiti district and added that the Insurance Compnay had also been informed to assess the losses to the polyhouses.
Spokesman further said that as alleged that specifications of pipe dia has been changed from 50mm (year 2009-10) to 25 mm dia (year2010-11) is not based on the facts as no such change in specifications has been done. As per departmental guidelines the construction work is to be done as per approved designs and specifications which are duly approved by the funding agency i.e. NABARD. It is again stressed that no deviation has been allowed in the approved designs for Tribal area.
He said that the Department has imposed certain terms and conditions at the time of empanelling of the companies that 'the infrastructure to be constructed/installed on behalf of the farmers by the company will be under warranty for 2 years and therefore any damage to the installed system/structure, due to defective construction will be rectified/corrected by the company free of cost'. 'The companies are not only required to install infrastructure in time bound manner but it has to be workable, smooth and safe for UV film and construction should be to the best satisfaction of beneficiary. He said that these terms and conditions stipulated in the technical and financial bids and shall tentamount to recovery of the amount equal to default with interest and the same can be charged to the bank guarantee of Rs. 5 lacs. For repeated violations of agreed terms and conditions, the company would be liable for de-empanellment or black listing as the case may be.
He said that as mentioned in the press news that scientists have recommended the use of poly carbonate sheets, it is mentioned that the use of poly carbonate sheets is very very costly and the cost per sqm can go as high as Rs. 5000 to 6000/ sqm against the present cost of Rs. 1300/ sqm. Use of poly carbonate sheet is made in research projects but here it is not feasible because farmers have to bear 20% of the cost. The experience shows that there is a reluctance on the part of farmers to pay 20% of beneficiary share even on the present cost of Rs. 1300/ sqm.
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