CBI caught on wrong foot yet again

“I was in Holland from October 15 to October 27 in 1998 for sea-trial of KPT’s survey vessel as per an order by the Marine Department. It was during this period that the tender committee held meetings for evaluating price bids (October 16) and negotiations with Dharti representatives (October 21, 22),” Rao said, adding that he came to know of the awarding of the contract only when people from the company came to him to begin work in November 1998.

Rao refused to comment on the propriety of the tender committee accepting the 80 per cent hike, demanded by the company in the case for mobilisation and demobilisation of the dredger. But sources said Rao was the only qualified dredging expert on the committee and it was strange that the tender was finalised without waiting for his return.

Rao holds a doctorate in hydraulic engineering and it was under his supervision that the capital dredging work of the newly constructed eighth cargo berth was to be undertaken. Yet, the then KPT chairman Hiralal Kadlabju, currently in CBI custody, sent the case file to deputy chairman Vipul Mittra, a “non-expert”, for his opinion before awarding the contract.

Add to that the fact that there seems to be no justification to the steep hike allowed by the committee in the revised tender to Dharti, which the CBI is currently investigating. A note by KPT authorities to the agency confirms this, with insiders in the Trust claming that the increase was allowed “on flimsy grounds.”