the goan I network
MARGAO
Even as all work on the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) at the RTO Arlem office came to a halt on Friday, Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat on Friday demanded the government confiscate the Rs 1 crore bank guarantee furnished by Ms Real Mazon to execute the HSRP work in Goa, and terminate the contract, if required.
Welcoming the government decision to issue show cause notice on Ms Real Mazon for deficiency in service, Kamat said the government should initiate strict action against the contractor, including termination of the contract.
“During my visit to the RTO Arlem office on October 23, I had anticipated trouble and law and order over the HSRP fitment for poor arrangements made by the contractor. We cannot blame the RTO officials. Their role is limited since the contract is bagged by the private contractor,” he said.
Kamat pointed out that he had demanded on October 23 that the government should confiscate the Rs 1 crore bank guarantee furnished by the contractor and termination of the contractor. “I welcome the decision of the Transport department to issue the show cause notice. Strict action should be initiated against the contractor including termination of the contract,” he demanded.
Meanwhile, all work relating to the fitment of the HSRP at the RTO Arlem office has come to a halt on Friday. Assistant Director of Transport, Registration, Prakash Kholkar informed that the department will not allow the contractor to resume the operations until he complies with all the conditions contained in the letter issued by his office on Thursday.
He said the contractor has already been told by his office to inform via social media and over the phone about the cancellation of the HSRP fitments fixed by the agency at the Arlem office.
Kholkar had on Thursday issued a host of directions to the contractor to suspend the operations until he complies with the conditions after Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai and his supporters stormed the RTO Arlem office on Thursday.
The contractor, who was operating with just two staffers to issue the receipts have been asked to open six counters with as many staffers. On the fitment aspect, the contractor has been told to appoint 30 fitters with sophisticated equipment instead of the 10 fitters engaged by the agency.
