Panaji: Now, government issues showcause notice to HSRP contractor

MARGAO/PANAJI: Following a public outcry over hardships faced by motorists during fitment of high security number plates (HSRP), the directorate of transport on Thursday issued a showcause notice to the contractor for having “failed miserably in providing services to the motorists” even as South Goa district collector Ajit Roy instructed transport department officials at Arlem to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to citizens.
Real Mazon India Ltd, the contractor (service provider) appointed for fitment of registration plates, has been asked by director of transport Rajan Satardekar to show cause as to why action should not be taken against it to the extent of invoking penalty clauses and forfeiting the performance security amounting to Rs 1 crore paid to the government in the form of a bank guarantee.
In October 2018, an agreement was signed by the government with Real Mazon after it had emerged as the lowest bidder in a tender floated by the transport department for security plates on all vehicles registered in the state up to March 31, 2019.
In the notice, Satardekar has mentioned the public outcry and complaints received from leader of opposition Digambar Kamat over deficiencies in the service of the contractor.
Vijai fumes, threatens to shut down exercise
The transport director has also directed the contractor to depute its representative for a personal hearing on the issue on November 5, failing which an ex-parte order could be passed.
Meanwhile, South Goa collector Ajit Roy issued instructions to transport department officials at Arlem to streamline the process after Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai threatened to forcibly close down the exercise if proper facilities like a pandal and drinking water were not provided to customers.
During his visit to the RTO Arlem office on Thursday morning, Sardesai expressed his disgust on seeing a serpentine queue of customers waiting to install the HSRPs. As complaints started pouring in from some quarters that the number plates were not as per approved specifications, Sardesai demanded the immediate arrest of the contractor’s employee heading the installment centre at Arlem. However, as contradictory statements emerged from RTO officials over whether the HSRPs were in accordance with approved specifications, Sardesai alleged a conspiracy in the operations, terming it as a scam.
Sensing trouble, police rushed in and so did senior officials of the district administration. Sardesai warned RTO and district administration officials that all hell would break lose if he were to incite the people against the RTO. “GFP workers will close this (plate fixing) down and picket this office (RTO),” he told officials. “I will bring people here and shut it down. Suspend operations till all facilities are provided. Else, you will have problems from me, being the local MLA. This is a clear cut threat.”
Sardesai then resorted to flashing his trademark regionalist sentiments. “This is not UP where people will stand in queues for hours together. When a UP contractor works in Goa, he should realize that he is working in Goa. This is where our regionalism comes to the fore. He better gives Goans the treatment Goans deserve,” Sardesai told reporters.
Demanding that the transport minister announce suspension of the HSRP fixing exercise, Sardesai said, “If not, people will take to the streets, there will be a law and order problem. This constituency is mine and the government will be responsible for whatever happens.”
South Goa collector later held a meeting with RTO officials, police and district administration officials and took stock of the situation.
Salcete mamlatdar Prataprao Gaonkar, who oversaw the developments since morning, told TOI that the RTO has been asked not to resume HSRP fixing exercise until all necessary measures to streamline the exercise are put in place. “RTO has been asked to increase the number of fitting counters to 10, with one exclusive counter each for women, physically disabled and senior citizens, to increase the number of fitters to 25, to erect a pandal and to make arrangements for drinking water. They have also been directed to open a separate fitting centre at the Quepem RTO so that the rush at Margao centre is reduced. The collector has directed the RTO to resume the operations only after putting in place all these measures.”