TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The State government would be inviting tenders to select an agency for installing high security registration plates (HSRP) on vehicles in Goa for the fifth time. The Directorate of Transport earlier this month had cancelled the tendering process of HSRP for the fourth time.
Sources revealed that the department would be shortly initiating process for re-tendering of HSRP after the recently invited tenders saw technical faults in the companies that had applied. M/s Shimnit Utsch Private Limited, a controversial company that had won the first contract, was one amongst the seven bidders which had bid for the HSRP tender.
In September 2013, the High Court had slammed the government for not implementing HSRP, thus ignoring Supreme Court order. Accordingly, the transport department on December 6 had begun the process of re-tendering HSRP for the fourth time. The bids were opened in mid-February.
Government in early 2013 had re-floated the tender for the third time. However, the same was cancelled after Goa State Works Advisory Board (GSWAB) headed by the Chief Secretary recommended that government should re-float the tender after only two bids were received in response to the tender. GSWAB was of the opinion that government should look at a company that would provide plates at a cost below Rs 100.
The government in 2008 had awarded the first contract that was terminated in 2010 citing glaring irregularities in entire process. The department opened fresh tenders in 2011 and Delhi-based Utsav Technology was short listed; however the same was also set aside. The new tenders were opened in early 2013. Government has been facing sever opposition for HSRP from private bus operators and local vehicle plate painters.
