WASHINGTON: Senior Opposition Congress MLA Shaktisinh Gohil has made a serious allegation against the state ports department that it has indulged in corruption by allowing a private company to collect more fees than contracted under its vessel traffic management system (VTMS) installed at all major ports in Gujarat.
Participating in a debate on budgetary demands of the ports department in the State Assembly on Thursday, Gohil said the government had given a contract to Aatash Norcontrol Limited on February 26, 2007 to install VTMS at major ports under the condition that the investment should not exceed Rs 100 crore and that the company should not collect more than 15% fees annually.
The opposition MLA said the company started its operations in 2010-11and went on collecting fees amounting to Rs 1,49,37,28,065 over the last five years. “This was Rs 74 crore more than what had been agreed upon under the contract,” he told the House alleging corruption in the project. Gohil further alleged that only 50% of the government-run jetties in Gujarat are functioning properly, while private players are accruing huge profits by efficiently operating their jetties. Thus, the government is directly benefitting industrialists instead of utilising its own resources and machinery to the fullest to make its jetties financially more beneficial.
It may be mentioned here that Vessels Traffic Management Systems installed in some of the busiest waters in the world are making valuable contribution to safer navigation, more efficient traffic flow, and protection of the environment. Traffic flow in busy approach routes, access channels, and harbours can be coordinated safely, in the best interest of port and its users.
