Tainted firm to supply eggs till new tender

Last year, the tender for around 50 lakh eggs per day was obtained by Christy foods and according to the tender the supplier had to provide eggs till July 31, this year. However, recently the office of TS Kumarasamy, founder, Christy Friedgram Industry, was raided by the I-T Department following which the egg tender was cancelled in July as the opposition parties claimed that there was a huge scam in procurement of eggs. Following that a fresh tender was called on August 24 for supply of 50 lakh Agmark quality eggs at the allotted budget of Rs 481 crores per annum. 

As the egg contract ends on Tuesday, it was feared that the egg supply in the Anganwadi and the noon meal centres would be affected. However, the officials at Social Welfare Department said that they have made arrangements for egg supply.

Manivasan, secretary of Social Welfare Department, told DT Next that the state government at any cost will not allow the Anganwadis and the noon meal centres without supply of eggs and had made temporary arrangements. Accordingly, Christy foods would continue the supply of eggs till the next tender is finalised and there is provision for it in the tender rules. As the procurement rate of Rs 4.34 per unit was way less than market price of Rs 5.50, the supply during shortage period would not eat into the exchequer, said the official. 

When asked whether Christy foods can participate in future tenders, Manivasan replied, “They were not blacklisted nor any criminal action initiated against them. Just on the basis of I-T raid a company cannot be blocked from participating in the tender.”