Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has pulled up the State government over the ongoing renovation of Kala Academy, observing in an interim order that the project was awarded without adhering to the mandatory tendering process.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Ashish Chavan held that accountability must be fixed on government officers responsible for bypassing the transparent bidding mechanism and directly selecting Mumbai-based firm M/s Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd for structural repair and renovation works.
“The liability will be fixed upon the concerned officers… for bypassing the tender process, which is expected to be transparent and competitive,” the court observed while hearing a PIL filed by social activist Durgadas Kamat.
While stressing that the priority remains timely completion of the renovation, the Bench directed the State to ensure that the defect liability clause in the work order—worth over ₹39.63 crore—is strictly enforced in case of shoddy or substandard execution.
The State informed the court that a Task Force had already submitted its report to the vigilance department, which is under review. Issues such as cracks in beams and columns, water seepage, damaged ceilings, dampness, and flooring settlement were also flagged during the proceedings.
The matter will be heard next on September 29.
