MTOWA retorts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2014: The Manipur Truck Owners Welfare association (MTOWA) has accused FCI Zonal office, Guwahati and FCI Regional Office, Imphal of conspiring to render Imphal-Jiribam highway useless for transportation of FCI rice.

With the closing of the old Imphal-Jiribam rice transportation tender on May 3, truck owners submitted their tender bid for the new e-tender on May 17, said MTOWA president H Ranjit during a press meet at MG Avenue this evening.

However, when the e-tender bids were opened on may 19, a firm which was earlier disqualified from bidding for such tenders was found among the bidders.

Taking strong exception to the discrepancy, the truck owners lodged a strong objection.

He further questioned the FCI authority's decision to allow the particular firm from taking part in the tender process.

Even as the disqualified firm was allowed to take part in the tender process, the truck owners' appeal to postpone the tender was rejected by the DGM of FCI Regional office, Imphal.

Subsequently, the truck owners took the matter to the high court but the court gave its ruling in favour of FCI.

Undeterred by the High Court's ruling, the truck owners petitioned the Supreme Court on the same matter.

Acting on the petition, the Supreme Court served an order to the FCI authority on August 8 and the order was returnable within three weeks.

However, the FCI Regional office Imphal DGM has been acting as if he is unaware of the Supreme Court's order.

This was followed by cancellation of contract for transportation of rice along the Imphal-Jiribam Highway by FCI Zonal office, Guwahati.

H Ranjit further alleged that the FCI has been violating its own rules and regulations.

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