AG: Decision on tender for removal of Princess this week

PANJIM, AUG 24
Goa Government today told the Bombay High Court at Goa that the state was ‘playing safe’ over River Princess issue and decision on tender to remove the ship which has run aground will be taken this week. 
Advocate General (AG) Subodh Kantak informed court that the State Disaster Management Committee will be meeting this week to decide over the award of tender for the removal of grounded vessel.
 “The decision will come whether to continue with the tender process, which is awarded to M/s Titan Salvage or to re-tender it,” AG told Court. On Monday, AG submitted his legal opinion in the matter to the committee.
Though, the state government last week stated before the Court that the decision on tendering process would be taken within a week, it has further delayed its decision claiming that the government wants to avoid all the legal problems, which are likely to mount in future.
Division bench comprising of Justice D G Karnik and Justice F M Reis were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by River Princess Hatao Manch (RPHM), which had complained about the environment degradation caused by the standard vessel during last ten years.
Through the application, the RPHM had suggested interlocking boulders system to prevent further sand erosion. However, AG had made it clear that the said suggestion is not feasible.
AG today told Court that the government will file an affidavit as per the various suggestions forwarded by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF). 
After withdrawing its earlier application, Salgaocar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd, in their fresh move today again pointed out that they are ready to undertake the work of the removal of the grounded vessel free of cost.
The division bench however, refused to accept the application and directed to challenge the tender process if government fails to consider them during the bids.
The matter will be now heard on August 31.