Press Trust of India reported that the controversy over Mazagon Dock choice of Pipavav Shipyard as its naval joint venture partner is getting bigger and deeper as after ABG Shipyard and Larsen and Toubro, another bidder Bharati Shipyard has also raised questions over the selection process.

Seeking clarity on the issue, Bharati Shipyard in its letter dated September 16 to MDL said that it has made a presentation on the proposal to form a JV with MDL on August 23 and was asked by the defense PSU two days later to provide further details and terms of reference for the formation of JV.

The company said "Subsequently, there were media reports on September 10 and 11 that MDL has already selected the JV Model of partnership and Pipavav Shipyard as one of their partner. We would, therefore be grateful if you could kindly clarify the above and as to the date by which date we iE Bharati Shipyard, should submit our proposal for joint venture."

Last week, L&T and ABG Shipyard had questioned the selection process while pointing out the lack of transparency over the selection of Pipavav Shipyard as Mazagon Dock Ltd JV partner.

In their separate letters to Mazagon Dock both the companies had said that they were not given chance to respond to the proposal of becoming the JV partner despite making presentations and submitting their expression of interest.

(Sourced from Press Trust of India)