Hi, in this sentence we are not using past perfect tense. We are using simple past tense.

We can use HAD in simple past. For example He had his lunch at 1:00 PM. In this sentence HAD is used as simple past tense.

Simple trick I use to differentiate is: If HAD is followed by a verb or been, then I conclude that Past Perfect is being used.
If HAD is followed by a noun/pronoun, then I conclude that Simple Past is being used.

Please correct me if I am wrong 🙂

Very good Murali!

Question #238.

In an attempt to attract more tourists, the Swiss government
commissioned several life-size

fiberglass cow statues, having them decorated by local artists, and
set them up on the streets of

Zurich.

A. the Swiss government commissioned several life-size fiberglass cow
statues, having them

decorated by local artists, and

B. the Swiss government commissioned several life-size fiberglass cow
statues, they were

decorated by local artists, and then

C. the Swiss government commissioned several life-size fiberglass cow
statues, had them

decorated by local artists, and

D. several life-size fiberglass cow statues were commissioned by the
Swiss government,

decorated by local artists, and then

E. several life-size fiberglass cow statues, commissioned by the Swiss
government, were

decorated by
local artists, and they

D, E
–gone..modifier issue.

B- they is
referring tourists and cow statues

A—wrong because
of having them.

OA: C ..but “had”
is wrong tense here right??

Hi

but here past perfect tense is used. Had them decorated is mentioned.  It should be wrong!!what is concept it wants to test

Saikat, here HAD THEM DECORATED is in passive voice 🙂

I think I overlooked Murali’s comment. It is clearly said 
If HAD is followed by a verb or been, then I conclude that Past Perfect is being used. If HAD is followed by a noun/pronoun, then I conclude that Simple Past is being used.  Here, them(pronoun) comes after Had (verb). So it is a simple past tense

You are right.. What seems to be your doubt here?