PANAJI
Goa government’s ambitious plan to redevelop the State’s lone sugar factory -- Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana (SSSK) -- as an ethanol manufacturing facility under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, has hit a roadblock, in absence of bidders. With no bidders coming forward, the government is considering keeping the project on hold for some time.
The government, through its PPP department, had twice invited Request for Qualification (RFQ) bids. While the first RFQ was released in January, the second was in May, this year. However, not a single bidder showed interest.
Speaking to The Goan, Agriculture Director Sandeep Fol Dessai said that “A RFQ was invited twice for redevelopment of SSSK into an ethanol manufacturing unit under public private partnership mode but no bidders came forward. We even issued a revised RFQ to attract bidders. But, no decision has been taken so far, to issue RFQ again”.
However, sources at the Secretariat level confirmed that the PPP department, following directions from the Chief Minister, has considering keeping the project on hold. “The department just cannot go on inviting RFQ to see no response. Will have to wait for some time,” sources said.
The government released the first tender in January, following heightened protests from sugarcane farmers.
The state run enterprise located in Dharbandora village, is being run by an administrator in the absence of a board of directors. The facility has been shut since 2019.
Sources informed that despite a proposal to Sanjivani Sugarcane Producers Association, they failed to recommend any contractor for the manufacturing of ethanol. “We need to follow proper procedure to ensure transparency,” sources said.
When contacted, Administrator Rajesh Desai said that the decision on the project has to be taken by the PPP department and the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, the government has decided not to extend the scheme for providing grant-in-aid to the factory, which is set to lapse on December 31. The factory has got around 170 employees including 99 regular staff. Sources said that the staffers are again requested to opt for voluntary retirement.
