Nagpur, 25 Feb

(HS): The Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) has initiated an

investigation into the alleged procedural delay and financial lapses in the

appointment of Singapore-based consultant for developing jungle safari in

Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Park in Gorewada, Nagpur. The proposal

is to develop it like African Safari.

The

investigation was promoted following serious allegations by a city-based Right

to Information activist for illegally awarding the consultancy to Barnard

Harrison and Friends, Singapore without floating a tender notice for inviting

competitive bidding or obtaining mandatory administrative sanction from the

State Government.

According to the

complainant, the appointment was made by joint venture partner Essel World

Leisure Private Limited without the tender procedure.

In 2022 when the

joint venture partner withdrew from the project, FDCM took over and formed FDCM

Gorewada Zoo Limited (FGZ). The FDCM Board of Directors approved the appointment

of the consultant Bernard Harrison and Friends, Singapore without following the

required procedure. The then Forest Minister Sanjay Rathod was the Chairman of

FDCM Board of Directors. Maharashtra was in power during the period.

The consultation

fees was about Rs 10 crore for the Rs 517,76 crore project spread over 63 acres

of land.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar