CAG finds large-scale irregularities in Orissa port sector
The CAG has pointed out that the government awarded the sites through MoU route instead of International Competitive Bidding (ICB) route and allowed the developers to exit the port project during the lock-in period in violation of the Concession Agreement.
The Orissa government took up five minor port projects (Dhamra, Gopalpur, Subarnarekha, Chudamani and Astaranga) for development through PPP mode during 1999-2012, with a projected private sector investment of R12,594.02 crore. While the Dhamra Port is being developed jointly by Tata Steel and L &T, the Gopalpur Port is being promoted by a consortium led by Orissa Stevedores (OSL), the Subarnarekha port by Creative Port Developer (CPDP) and the Astaranga by Navayuga Group. Chudamani port is being developed by Essel Mining & Industries, a Aditya Birla Group Company, as captive port.
The CAG conducted the “Performance Audit of Resources and Revenue” sharing arrangements in PPP model port projects in the state covering the period 1997-98 to 2011-12.
The report, which was laid in the Orissa Assembly on Saturday, said that several deficiencies were found in policy formulation, implementation, institutional arrangements, design and enforcement of the CA and revenue sharing model.
“Though four out of five projects, with project cost of each exceeding R500 crore were taken up and CAs were executed, yet approval of the High Level Clearance Authority was not obtained, that too
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