the goan I network
PANAJI
Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo on Monday demanded immediate cancellation of the tender floated by the tourism department to select a beach cleaning agency in Goa as it lacks technical expertise.
He said, the task of floating the tender and selecting the agency should be handled by the Goa Waste Management Corporation which he heads as it inherently has the necessary wherewithal for the task.
The Waste Management Corporation has experienced and qualified engineers to manage the task, Michael said at a press conference he addressed on Monday where he also threatened to challenge the tendering process in court if it was not scrapped.
The Deputy Speaker said he met with Chief Secy Dharmendra Sharma and conveyed to him his demand and added that he will also meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Lobo recalled how in the past a controversy over inflated estimates in the tender by the Tourism Department the contract awarded to Bhumika Enterprises and Ram Cleaners for Rs 14.5 crore had been canceled.
He said Dristi Lifesaving which was nominated to help in the beach cleaning on an emergency basis in December 2016 was paid a total of Rs 8.92 crore. Later on Monday evening, Lobo when contacted told The Goan that he did meet Parrikar at his private residence, adding that the Chief Minister has assured him of a solution within a day.
Lobo said there is a single bidder for the new tender floated by Tourism Department with a minimum estimate of Rs 12.5 cr per annum. This amount is 35 percent higher than what the State paid for the same service.
Will go ahead with tender: Ajgaonkar
PANAJI: Rejecting the demand of Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo, the Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said the beach cleaning tender was floated by Goa Tourism Department after proper study and that it will go ahead with the process.
“The Department will strictly follow guidelines, procedures and total transparency will be ensured. The eligible contractor will be given the opportunity,” Ajgaonkar said, adding that he will not bow down to pressure tactics.
