After losing Rs 60 billion in asset monetisation proceeds due to delayed security clearances last fiscal, the ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways (MoPSW) is considering a framework that would allow bidders for port development under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode to be cleared faster. The ministry has written to other ministries, including those in charge of home affairs, defence, and foreign affairs, in search of a "positive and negative list" framework. Under normal circumstances, prominent players and regular bidders in government tenders would not have to go through repeated clearances. Because ports are a matter of national security, bidders must be cleared for security risks during the pre-qualification stage of government tenders. These clearances are not given by MoPSW until inputs are received from the ministries of home affairs, defence and external affairs as well as the cabinet secretariat and the Intelligence Bureau.
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