Andhra Pradesh: Efforts on to beat Swiss challenge

Vijayawada: Despite objections to the Swiss challenge, the Government is getting ready to sign the MoU, most likely on October 7.

The GAD is in consultation with the Singapore PMO to finalise the programme of the country’s Prime Minister for the MoU. The State Government is firm on its stand and not going to entertain demands from the opposition over convening an all-party meeting before going for MoU.

Though the negotiations process has been going on and final call has not yet been taken, the State Government is reportedly exerting pressure on the officials to finalise the  draft since it does not want any other operator than Singapore consortium, according to a senior official from CRDA.

While the countries like Japan, China and United Kingdom have expressed interest in sharing their proposals, the State Government has somehow not shown inclination for the same.

In fact, when the then CRDA Commissioner Dr N Srikanth objected to certain points which may become problematic in the near future for the Government and likely to damage the reputation of the Government, the State Government decided to sideline Srikanth from that position, the senior officer said. However, his posting as Political Secretary in GAD was given a different colour by the Government, he added.

The State Government, which is in a hurry to close the deal before Vijayadashami, has been asking the officials to complete the documentation process.

However, it may be recalled that there areseveral complaints against the implementation of the Swiss Challenge process. Even institutions like the  Central Vigilance Commission and as  well as the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India have objected to it.