Polavaram gets embroiled with fresh controversies at home

By Our Correspondent Hyderabad: July 25: Odisha government’s objection apart, the Indira Sagar Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, is getting embroiled with newer controversies everyday. In fresh such a case, two sets of unsuccessful bidders moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday challenging the bidding process for Rs 4,600-crore project. While CGS-Gammon-AMR filed the petition over its disqualification on technical grounds, Madhucon-Sinohydro, another joint venture company, questioned the price bid in its plea. CGS-Gammon-A MR urged the court to declare the government’s action in not disclosing reasons for rejecting their technical bid as illegal and arbitrary. The petitioner asked the court to direct the authorities concerned to furnish all particulars, including grounds on which bidders were disqualified and details of relaxation, if any, granted to bidders deemed technically qualified. The JV company told the court that the government's action resulted in losses amounting to several hundred crores for the state exchequer. The petitioner also said it was not seeking any relief adverse to the successful bidders. In its petition, Madhucon-Sinohydro urged the court to stay all further proceedings, including finalisation of tenders. The company sought a direction to declare the tender process illegal, as the authorities disqualified it in respect of price bid without giving any reasons.