Case on egg supply to meals scheme put off to March 21

Justice R Subbiah while hearing the plea that the Government was suffering a loss to the tune of as much as Rs 13.80 crore every month, posted the case to March 21 for further hearing. 

The petitioner, M Jayakumar, represented by his advocate K Balu, had contended that the government, which required as many as 60 lakh eggs, procured them at the rate of Rs.4.35 per egg, while the rate fixed by National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) was a mere Rs.3.20 per egg. 

The difference in rate of Rs.1.15 per egg worked out to a loss of Rs 69 lakh per day and at the rate of 5 eggs per week, which worked out to 20 pieces a month per person, the loss worked out to a whopping Rs 13.80 crore per month, he said. 

However, the Government in its counter stated that the price of the egg fixed by NECC was only indicative and it does not include other imminent charges like transport, handling, sorting and packing. 

Also, the contractor has to supply eggs at Rs 4.35 per egg throughout the year without any interruption even if the rate increases. 

Also, only Agmark grade eggs were supplied to the children, which in the open market costs more than the price that was provided to the Government.