Cancel allotment of cafeteria to Shimla MLA: NRI group

Shimla, Jan 18 (UNI) An NRI industrial house today sought cancellation of allotment of a cafeteria in SDA complex here to kin of the local MLA alleging that his bid was tempered with to provide undue advantage to the legislator's family.

''Not only was my bid disclosed by the Himachal Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) to the legislator Harbhajan Singh Bhajji's family, whose bid was also accepted hours after the time for it had passed, but undue favour was given to him at every step,'' Mr Ashish K Satija, speaking on behalf of Ms Satija Rajhesh, alleged at a press conference here.

Three parties, namely Ms Kirti and Sunil Kumar, Satija Rajesh (NRI) and Tripti Associates, had sent in their bids for a partly built Cafeteria, which state units of the CPM and BJP had alleged had been leased out for commercial purposes by the Authority in violation of the Supreme Court orders on change of land use.

Mr Satija alleged not only the legislator's kin bid by Mrs Kirti and Mr Sunil Kumar was accepted hours after the time for submitting the bids had passed, but 100 per cent cash was accepted by the authority in back date to facilitate his late entry for the bid.

Normally the Authority, which does not accept cash after 1400 hrs, allowed the legislator's kin to deposit cash at 1545 hrs by Administrative Officer's account and at 1625 hrs by cashier's account, he said.

He alleged normally the bids were invited and opened the same day to prevent any charge of tempering, but in this case the bids were specially opened the next day to allow the legislator's kin the opportunity to have a look at the bids and quote a slightly higher price.

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