Chittagong Bureau :
It is alleged from different quarters that Chittagong Port Authority is not taking any legal actions against the private container terminal operator Saif Power Tech though violating the terms and conditions of the responsibilities of operating the terminal.
Sources said , CPA is callous against the said private operator and silent role against the operator even violation of the terms and conditions reasons best known to them.
CPA has lenient views over the Saif Power even violations of the agreement, source alleged. Saif Power Tech did not start the container handling activities of Kamalapur ICD even after 18 months of the agreement that signed with the CPA. But according to terms and conditions of the agreement , Saif Power is bound to start the work at Kamalapur ICD after seven months of the agreement.
There is a clause in the agreement said penalty of one percent over the agreement value is payable by the operator if fails to start operation activities in KamalapurICD within the specific date and if the penalty rises highest upto 10% , the agreement will declared void automatically and the earnest money will be forfeited. Port sources said Saif Power signed agreement with CPA in January last for operation of Kamalapur ICD for 10 years but even after passing of 18 months of the agreement, the private operator could not start the operation .
According to agreement , CPA owes Tk 6.92 crores as penalty to Saif Power due to his inability to start terminal operation in due time along with the forfeited earnest money of Tk.7 crores .
Meanwhile , CPA has not taken any steps to realize the penalty amount from the Saif Power . On the other hand, as per Publice procurement rules section 98(3) KA , if any bidder fails to comply the terms and conditions of the agreement, second highest bidder should be given work order accordingly, sources said.
Besides, Anti- corruption Commissioner, Chittagong is investigating the matter of Kamalapur ICD operation about any irregularities.
