GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat government is all set to take action against Ahmedabad-based Aatash Computer and Communication Ltd, which was given Rs 127 crore contract for setting up sensitive vessel tracking management system (VTMS) along the state’s major fishing harbours.

While Aatash which has a tie up with a Norwegian company got the contract in 2006, a Vigilance Commission report in March 2010 and indications that the matter might be a political embarrassment for chief minister Narendra Modi, appears to have prompted the government move.

“The company, without any experience, got work of Rs 127 crore from the Gujarat Maritime Board on BOOT basis. It had signed an MOU in 2006 and got business in Vibrant Summit for VTMS system for 11 ports of the GMB. It is surprising how a company set up in 2006 could get such work in the same year,” Gohil said.

Terming the contract a case of vibrant corruption’, Gohil alleged that company had claimed that it got a project to set up metal detector gate along with security system having video recording at Ambaji temple. “The work order was of August 15, 2006, given to Godrej and Boyce Company,” he alleged.

He further pointed out that this company has also produced documents relating to work on Kolkota airport. “A work order by a company of Norway, Knogsberg, of April 19, 2006, has been submitted to Gujarat government. The fact is that the company Aatash was set up in June 2006 clearly shows that the document was nothing but a fraud,” he said.

Jinofer Bhujwala, chairman and managing director of Aatash Norcontrol Ltd, termed the allegations baseless. “The motivated and baseless charges as a result of a systematic vilification campaign unleashed against us by our competitors is because they were outwitted by us in competition,” said Bhujwala.

He further said, the company bagged the BOOT contract for VTMS three years ago after beating intense competition. “The project cost of approximately Rs 123 crore has been borne by the company as per the agreed terms of BOOT contract in the year 2007. The completion certificate as per norms has been issued by GMB on August 13, 2010,” he said.

Officials in the state ports and transport department and the chief minister’s office (CMO) said, they would act against the company on the basis of a report submitted by the Vigilance Commission, which got complaints of the alleged fraud by the company in the tender documents for putting up VTMS.

Gohil alleged, “If VTMS has been given to a fraud company in Gulf of Khambhat then how can the state remain safe? The Gulf is connected to Pakistani sea borders.”

Read more: TimesofIndia