LoP says govt went ahead with Rs 4 crore purchase despite red flags
River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai in a conversation with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the Assembly, on Monday.
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
MAPUSA
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday came down heavily on the State government over the controversial purchase of a solar electric hybrid ferry, terming it an “unviable and wasteful” expenditure.
Alemao accused the government of ignoring warnings from the Captain of Ports and going ahead with the Rs 3.97crore purchase, which he labelled a "scam".
Raising the issue in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Alemao said the Captain of Ports had clearly flagged the technical and economic unsuitability of the solar ferry for Goan waters, yet the government proceeded with the acquisition.
“Despite the Captain of Ports warning that the ferry was unviable, the department still bought it. This is a scam – a clear case of commission under the guise of a solar mission. It is nothing but a waste of public funds,” Alemao alleged.
He further stated, “This is a fraud of nearly Rs 4 crore. Who will take responsibility for this?” The Opposition leader also highlighted the significant expenditure incurred on ferry maintenance, claiming that over Rs 35 crore had been spent in the past six years.
“In some cases like the ‘Betim’ ferry, more than Rs 1 crore has been spent on maintenance, even though the original cost of such ferries is between Rs 63 lakh and Rs 1.3 crore,” he pointed out.
Responding to the concerns, River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai admitted that the solar ferry faced operational issues and was ultimately deemed unfit for service. He said the ferry, named ‘St Pedro’, was operational for just three months before it was pulled out due to electrical faults and poor performance.
“The ferry was not built as per the required specifications, and hence, the government has withheld the final payment of Rs 59.37 lakh to the supplier,” Dessai informed the House. He added that the matter has been taken up with the Goa Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council under the Directorate of Industries.
While defending the ferry’s classification, the minister clarified that it was certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and had been surveyed accordingly. Dessai also revealed that the government is now looking to lease the ferry to a private agency. “One party has expressed interest in operating the ferry on a rental basis. The proposal is currently under consideration,” he said.
Addressing concerns over ferry maintenance costs, the minister explained that the State’s fleet of 32 ferries operates across 18 routes and many of them are 15–20 years old. “These ferries run for nearly 18 hours a day and naturally require regular and at times, extensive maintenance,” Dessai said, defending the Rs 35 crore expenditure.
