The Congress party in
Gujarat has alleged gross
irregularities in the vessel
tracking management system
(VTMS) deal that was signed in
2006 between Ahmedabad based
Aatash Computer & Communications
Pvt. Ltd and the
state government.
The
127-crore deal, which
entailed setting up of VTMS
along 11 ports of Gujarat Maritime
Board, was awarded on
BOOT basis.
According to Leader of Opposition
in the state Assembly, Shaktisinh
Gohil, Aatash Computer &
Communications submitted several
fake work orders to acquire
the VTMS contract. The work
orders were provided to prove
the company's experience in the
field. Interestingly, Aatash Computer
& Communications got
incorporated on June 20, 2006,
and managed to clinch the
VTMS deal within a few months
from the date of incorporation.
Gohil has also raised doubts
about the value of the contract.
"Companies with extensive
experience in the field are willing
to undertake the same work for
30
crore," Gohil told Projectmonitor.
"We are demanding that the contract
with Aatash Computer &
Communications be terminated
immediately. A criminal complaint
should also be filed against
it. It is very surprising that such
sensitive work was given to a company
that does not have good credentials.
An inquiry should be
conducted to find out as to how
this happened and the people who
were responsible for it," he added.
Meanwhile, GMB has set up an
inquiry committee to look into the
allegations surrounding the
VTMS deal. Earlier, the Gujarat
Vigilance Commission had
sought a probe into the matter.