Minister’s remark motivated: SGPC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 9

The SGPC took a strong exception to Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s statement that the SGPC should review the decision of hiring a Pune-based firm, Sonai Dairy, while ignoring Punjab Milkfed’s Verka for supply to gurdwara kitchens. Committee’s senior vice-president Rajinder Singh Mehta said the government’s own departments needed to be flexible and efficient.

“Randhawa’s statement was politically influenced, far from facts. He has said the order was given to the Pune firm as its rate was lowest and there was a difference of Rs 5.2 crore for three months’ supply in comparison to Milkfed’s offer,” Mehta said.

He said Verka milk was being supplied at the rate of Rs 38 per litre and the contract expired on March 31. “We asked them to continue the supply at the same rate, but Milkfed charged us Rs 42 per litre, despite the fact that during lockdown milk rates had nosedived.

He contradicted the minister’s statement that ignoring Milkfed would hit 3.5 lakh milk producers in the state.

A sub-committee finalises the tendering process and the order is given to the lowest bidder as per norms, he added.