Summary of the George Everest Estate Project & Concerns:
This text details a controversial tender process for the progress of adventure tourism infrastructure on the 142-acre George Everest Estate in Uttarakhand, India. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
The Project:
* Aims too promote adventure tourism on the historic George Everest Estate.
* Includes infrastructure like parking, pathways, a helipad, huts, a cafe, museums, and an observatory.
* Allows for activities like paragliding, bungee jumping, and helicopter operations.
* A 15-year term, extendable by another 15 years.
* Part of a larger tourism initiative funded by a Rs 23.5 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank.
The Controversy:
* Hidden Ownership: Acharya Balkrishna (co-founder of Patanjali Ayurved and associate of Baba Ramdev) has significant ownership stakes in all three bidding companies: Prakriti Organics, Bharuwa Agri Science, and Rajas Aerosports.
* Collusion Concerns: Despite a requirement in the tender documents that bidders certify they haven’t colluded, prakriti Organics and Bharuwa Agri Science acquired ample stakes in Rajas Aerosports after the tender was floated and before the project was awarded.
* Award to Linked Company: Rajas Aerosports won the tender with a bid of Rs 1 crore annually,significantly higher than the other bids.
* Defense of Process: Government officials (Amit Lohani, Col Ashvini Pundir) defend the process, claiming the price discovery was fair and that common shareholding isn’t unusual or constitutes collusion. They emphasize the companies are “independent entities.”
* Company Response: Rajas Aerosports dismisses collusion concerns, stating shareholding is “passive investment” and doesn’t influence decision-making.
* Further Support: Records show government officials (Sachin Kurve) repeatedly recommended Rajas Aerosports for related projects, including air safari operations.
In essence, the article raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the bidding process, given the hidden connections between the bidding companies and the potential for coordinated bidding despite assurances to the contrary.
