BJP backs AP plan for capital development

VIJAYAWADA: The ruling party’s ally BJP has come to the rescue of the state government openly on Swiss Challenge issue for the first time. While the Left parties and intellectuals started an attack on the notification for its alleged sealed cover modus operandi, the BJP has extended its moral support to the government. None other than BJP state president Kambhampati Haribabu has asked the Left parties to exercise their wisdom in noticing the difference between technical bidding and financial bidding.

The APCRDA’s notification issued on Monday has now raised eyebrows of many, as it has mentioned about a sealed cover. The CRDA’s notification has specified that the last date for submission of bids is September 1, 2016. Generally, for filing counters 60 days time will be given and here, the CRDA has given only 45 days time. This time reduction factor also has raised suspicions, according to experts.

In fact, the Singapore consortium has not mentioned about the revenue sharing to the government, once they take up the project with Rs 3,137 crore funds. When the consortium is not willing to disclose the details of revenue sharing, it certainly attracts the Supreme Court directions, according to Professor K.S. Lakshmana Rao, chairman, Rajadhani Abhivriddhi Vedika (RAV). “The Supreme Court has clearly stated that the government has to adopt transparent model in Swiss Challenge mode,” the RAV chairman observed and questioned as to why the sealed cover has come in between. “Is it not cheating the people,” he asked.

The tender notification has stated that revenue sharing details have been kept in sealed cover. While the project cost shown by the Singapore consortium is Rs 3,137 crore, the exact investment they are going to pump is Rs 3,06.4 crore. The same issue is being questioned by Left parties and intellectuals. “It is a clear cut betrayal,” said state CPM general secretary Penuballi Madhu. The former MP also questioned as to how the Singapore Consortium’s investment will be less, when compared to the proposed expenditure. He has analysed that the consortium will raise the funds through sale of plots.