Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 10: In brazen violation of financial norms, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Katra, reportedly transferred contract of hostel mess to another contractor from 'backdate'.
According documents available with Early Times, the administration trashing rules aside issued an ambiguous order last year by transferring contract from one party to another. "As approved by the competent authority, sanction is hereby accorded for providing of mess facility to the students at Nilgiri Hostel by M/s Ashok Caterers Jammu, w.e.f. 08/08/2018 (morning) upto 27/06/2020 on the standard terms and conditions governing the agreement entered into by M/s Ashok Caterers, Jammu with SMVDU, Katra", order no. SMVDU/DSW/18/657-62, dated 26/09/2018 read.
The order further read, "Consequent upon the above M/s Suvidha Caterers, Jalandhar, shall cease to operate and provide mess services at Nilgiri hostel. Necessary modification shall be made in terms of reference of the license deed entered into with the respective Caterers."
However, terming the order issued by Dean Students Welfare (DSW), SMVDU Katra, ambiguous, sources questioned its viability. "If a person or an entity is engaged for a job, and he/she has performed given job for a particular period of time, how the labour done by a person given to another", they said, seeking probe into the order.
Sources further said that the same authority (DSW) going beyond guidelines of tenders notification has heavily fined both these caterers. "As per clause 34 of tender notification for hostel mess, the University may impose a fine subject to a maximum of Rs 5000/on the caterer on each such occasion. But between 31st July 2018 3rd of October 2018, has imposed around Rs One lac fine on M/S Suvidha Caters i.e Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 10, 000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 40,000 while Rs 65,000 fine has been imposed on M/S Ashok Caterers between 4th of August 2018 to 22nd of October 2018, i.e Rs10,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 5,000", documents available with ET divulged. |
