Govt hotel mgmt institute tender may be refloated

Panaji: After being dogged by inordinate delays, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is attempting to revive the stalled institute of hotel management and catering technology project at Farmagudi.

GTDC has proposed withdrawing the work order awarded to the contractor M/s M Venkata Rao, and re-floating the tender. It will also appoint a new project management consultant (PMC) from among the panel of consultants.

The funding for the project was to be equally borne by the Union and the state government. However, the centre later backtracked, pointing out that the scheme under which it was sanctioned was shelved, said a source.

Despite this setback, the contractor continued to pursue the project, even though payments were delayed. Subsequently, the contractor expressed his unwillingness to continue as per initial cost estimates.

It also came to GTDC's attention that the project was not executed as per approved drawings. Certain aspects such as furnishing, laboratory equipment, boys hostel, electrification, etc, were also not included in the estimates."The board was informed that due to changes made in drawings by the consultant, the scope of work was altered and not considered in the quotation," a source said.

GTDC took strong objection for the lapses on the part of the PMC, M/s Lotus Enviornment, as it was duty bound to get prior approval of the authorities before making financial and structural changes. "The consultant clearly failed in taking us into confidence," said a GTDC official.

Owing to various lapses that included issuing the drawing to the contractor for speedy implementation, and the absence of follow-up with the central government to get the funds released, were enough reasons to blacklist the PMC, a source said.