DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 28 (MExN): The Food & Civil Supplies Department has issued a clarification regarding the 15-day ultimatum served by the Nagaland Transparency Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Organization (NTPRADAO), which was published in local media on November 26.
F&CS Director Chubawati Chang, in the clarification, maintained that each tenderer or bidder who participated in the Public Health and Hygiene (PHH) carriage tender had deposited the earnest money in their respective accounts in the form of Fixed Deposit or Deposit at Call (DAC), made in favor of the Department of Food & Civil Supplies.
The department clarified that only the copy of the Fixed Deposit or DAC certificate is submitted to the Directorate of Food & Civil Supplies as proof of security, and the interest accrued, if any, from these deposits belongs to the respective tenderers.
The department also denied the allegation that it had been accumulating the total amount of tenderers' earnest money in Fixed Deposit accounts to earn interest, calling the claim "baseless and unfounded." Out of 62 tenderers, 13 have already voluntarily reclaimed their deposits.
The department expressed regret for the hardship caused by the inadvertent delay in the finalization of the tender process and assured that efforts are underway to expedite the process and finalize the necessary procedures.
Additionally, the department addressed a point regarding the distribution of rice under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013. It confirmed that rice for the PHH and AAY beneficiaries is being distributed free of charge, in line with the Government of India’s policy under the Public Distribution System. However, it clarified that other items mentioned in the news item are not provided free of cost as previously reported.
