PANJIM: A firm from Sonipat, Haryana has submitted the highest bid for 241 metric tonnes of damaged tur dal even as the government officials are unaware of the plans.
In all, four parties including three from Karnataka have submitted their bids to purchase damaged tur dal, which is found to be unfit for human consumption and also for cattle feed. The pulses are lying in the godown of the Civil Supplies Department at different talukas. “We have received four bids, three from Karnataka and one from Sonipat, Haryana. The bids were opened on Tuesday and the Haryana-based party has given us a good offer,” said an official.
It is learnt that the Belgaum-based agency which was awarded the tender to dispose of damaged tur dal last year but was denied, did not submit its bid this time.
The government had procured 408 metric tonnes of tur dal and could distribute only 159 metric tonnes to the fair price shops across the State.
Meanwhile, the bids to dispose of 10 metric tonnes of melted sugar will be opened on Thursday, August 18, it was informed.
It is also learnt that the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is also trying to dispose of quantity of chana (grams) procured by the government under the Swayampurna Goa initiative. However, these pulses were procured by both the District Magistrates and given to the department for distribution during the Covid pandemic.
The State government has already placed under suspension the then Director of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Siddhivinayak Naik for alleged lapses in disposing of 241 MT of tur dal, which is nose infected with pests and damaged. The government has also referred the matter to the Vigilance Department for an in-depth inquiry.
The opposition parties have condemned the government for making the officer a scapegoat for the acts of omission and commission of the then Civil Supplies Minister and have demanded a thorough investigation and to fix responsibility.
The Congress party has demanded the resignation of the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Govind Gaude.
