Govt breaks silence on HSRP, to serve notice on Shimnit

Govt breaks silence on HSRP, to serve notice on Shimnit
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, SEPT 28 
Breaking its silence over high security registration plates (HSRP) issue, State Transport Ministry today said that Shimnit Utsch will be served show-cause notice within 15 days.
After almost a month confirmation that HSRP file is pending with State government office, Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhavlikar said that the file is sent back to Advocate General to clarify some more legal points.
 “The file is back with AG, which will come back to us by next week. The notice will be served within a fortnight,” Dhavlikar told Herald.
The State government had assured to scrap the tender with Shimnit Utsch after Srivastava Committee pointed out glaring irregularities in the tendering process.
And accordingly, the Transport Department on August 20, 2010 decided to issue show-cause notice over its termination. However, it was further postponed to August 23.
The Shimnit Utsch had approached High Court over government decision to scrap the tender.
The company had told Court that all the allegations made by the government committee, does not stand after awarding the contract. These points should have highlighted before awarding the tender.
The HSRP contract awarded to Shimnit Utsch Company had not gone well with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and transporters, who had taken to the streets demanding scrapping of the contract.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had then formed a State level committee to study the aspects of the HSRP on August 18, 2009.
Meanwhile, as the HSRP contract signed by the government with Shimnit Utsch still stands, public are been offered with the same number plates for their new vehicles.