TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Days before the beach patrol and safety tendering exercise draw to a close, non-participatory agencies may approach the High Court challenging the on-going bidding process.

It is learnt that two of the agencies which had expressed interest at the early stages of the bidding process but did not submit their bids nor the earnest money deposit, have moved the High Court in two separate petitions.

They have questioned the government’s right to modify the terms of the tenders prior to the submission of the final tenders. This comes a week after the technical bids were opened and the financial bids are due to be opened in the days to come.

The only two agencies which submitted the final bids included Express Global Logistics Pvt Ltd and Drishti Special Response Services.

The tourism ministry on Monday confirmed that writ petitions have been filed in the High Court.

While one petition was taken up on Monday, the second is likely to come up for admission on Tuesday.

The government Monday strongly defended the on-going bidding process.

The latest development is now likely to delay the process of finalisation of the bids and selection of an agency to provide life guard services and equipment.