All eyes on MMC-Fomento concession agreement
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 26
With the Chief Minister-led high power committee appointing a consultant to monitor work on the waste treatment plant at Sonsodo, all eyes are now focused on the concession agreement to be signed between the Margao Municipal Council and Fomento.
Sources in the know said the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has issued clear cut directions to the Margao civic body to get the draft concession agreement vetted by the municipal lawyer. Sources said the civic body has been told to consult a Panjim-based senior lawyer on the draft agreement and the suggestions mooted by Fomento.
Herald understands that the municipal lawyer has so far not taken any returned the draft concession agreement to the civic body as he has sought clarifications on a host of issues.
It is learnt that there is still not clarity whether the Margao Municipal Council can sign the concession agreement with Fomento Green when Sociedade Fomento had bid for the tenders and other documents.
Besides, the mode of payment of money to Fomento has also not been clear to the civic body till date. Civic officials said that Fomento has asked for payment of Rs 1.32 crore at the time of signing the concession agreement, while queries has been raised in the civic body whether the initial payment can made without performance on the ground level.
The question of payment of consultancy fees to the Ahmebadad-based P U Asnani has also come to the fore. While the high powered committee has cleared Asnani for the coveted job of monitoring the setting up of the waste treatment plant at Sonsodo, it’s still unclear whether the civic body or Fomento will pay the consultancy fees or will share the fees amongst themselves.
These and other legal questions will be addressed at a joint meeting between Fomento officials and the municipal lawyers and civic officials at a meeting at Panjim next week.
It’s only after the draft concession agreement is vetted by the municipal lawyers then the document will be placed before the council for ratification, followed by signing of the agreement with Fomento.
