Court order puts beach-cleaning plans on hold

GTDC will only find solutions to other departments problems and not their own

While the tourist season has already begun, but the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC)’s plan to get the state’s beaches cleaned without hiring an independent agency is still on hold.

he two agencies roped in for beach-cleaning Bhumika Cleantech Services Pvt Ltd, and Ram Cleaners and Developers Pvt Ltd which were issued show-cause notices in September, continue to serve after being granted relief by a sessions court last month.

 GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral told TOI that the corporation’s plans were kept in abeyance because the matter was sub judice. “Everything is ready, but we can’t proceed in view of the court order,” he explained.
The tourism department, which was reluctant to terminate the contract in the face of allegations of a scam by the opposition and social activists over the last year, decided to revoke the beach-cleaning contract to Bhumika Cleantech and Ram Cleaners only two months ago. A department official said show-cause notices were issued to the two agencies after reports by state-appointed panels advised that the beach cleaning contract be revoked.

Complaints against the contractor have also been filed before the Goa Lokayukta. In one of its orders, the anti-corruption ombudsman organization had directed the tourism department to release only 50% funds against bills raised by the contractor after these were vetted by the tourism secretary.

It had also instructed that the balance 50% be deposited in the state treasury.