Bid formation for fresh HSRP tenders begins
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 22
Transport Department has started the process of forming bids for the fresh high security registration plates (HSRP) tenders deleting controversial clauses.
Sources from the Transport Department stated that the fresh tender document has omitted contentious clause of compulsory operation in five countries.
“Apart from this, there are few other clauses which are been canceled by the department. The fresh bid document would be submitted to the State Government in next two days,” sources said.
Sources said that the department has identified around 18 indigenous vendors, who can be eligible for the bidding.
The State Government on January 27 had terminated controversial HSRP contract with M/S Shimnit Utsch Private Limited after government appointed committee sighted various irregularities in the contract.
The termination notice issued to the company mentioned that a company has done some changes in its Board of Directors (BoDs) without intimating the State Government. The Government also stated that the company in its financial bidding had figured that a premium of 48 percent would be charged on plates.
The government while terminating the contract also stressed on the Apex Court order, which stated that the rates quoted by the company could be scaled down using Indian technology to Rs 469.
The contract, which received strong opposition from sections of society, was also terminated taking into account public interest.
Shimnit Utsch has now moved High Court, challenging the Government’s decision of terminating the agreement for installation of HSRP in Goa. In their petition before the Court, the company has said that the government decision to terminate the contract was due to public pressure.
The court has directed government to file reply by February 25.
