BY JOAO SOUSA M

PANAJI: The Transport Minister, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar on Monday disclosed that the government would initiate action against those involved in manipulating the tendering process for high security registration plates.

The action would come in the wake of the recommendations of the high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary, Mr Sanjay Kumar Shrivastava, which was set up to enquire the alleged irregularities in the award of tender.

The Transport Minister said the file has been moved to the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat to make necessary inquiry through the vigilance department against those who were involved in the tendering process. He said the government would also ask the finance department to assess the financial loss to the state government.

When asked about the committee suggestion that the concession agreement entered into with Shimnit Utsch India Pvt Ltd should be revoked as the process of awarding the tender was flawed, Mr Dhavalikar stated that since several issues are involved the government would have to refer the matter to the law department for concurrence before initiating any action against the company.

Pointing out various irregularities in the tendering process, the committee report has said the process was grossly wrong and contained several faults. The report has said the rates quoted by company were on a higher side and that the government had not verified the antecedents of the company director at the time of the tendering process.

Further the clause relating to extra charge for replacement of HSRP was included after the tender was opened.