PANJIM, AUG 26
After deliberating on legal opinions obtained on legality of tendering process for removing M V River Princess, the Advisory Committee today in-principle decided that the tender be awarded to M/s Titan Salvage. However, a final decision will be taken by State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) which is likely to meet in the next two days.
Speaking to Herald Calangute MLA, Agnelo Fernandes who is a special invitee on Advisory Committee, said on considering legal opinions given by Advocate General Subodh Kantak and ex-advocate general Atmaram Nadkarni and also advice given by the Law Secretary, P V Kamat it was decided that the Government should award contract to M/s Titan Salvage after obtaining appropriate performance guarantee. Singaporean company has assured to remove the vessel within a period of six months.
Though the Government had zeroed in on Titan Salvage earlier, it held back its decision after M/s Madgaonkar Salvage, which was also short-listed, raised objection about validity of the tendering process.
The bid submitted by M/s Madgaonkar Salvage was rejected by the Government as it had submitted that it would need three years to remove the vessel.
M/s Madgaonkar had objected saying Rs 125 crore quoted by Titan Salvage was hand written and that too after the tender was opened. It had also threatened to challenge the tendering process if it was awarded to M/s Titan Salvage.
Calangute MLA said, the advocate general has given an opinion that the Government’s decision can be well defended in the court of law, whereas ex-advocate general had opined that tendering process was open for challenge.
The law secretary who was consulted on this point, has said to have told the Government that the objection raised by M/s Madgaonkar Salvage cannot form ground for challenging the tendering process. The Calangute MLA said in view of the report of Institute of Earth Sciences it is necessary that the grounded vessel is removed at the earliest.
In its report two months ago the IES had informed that if the vessel is not removed within six months, it will crumble and cause further damage, he said.
