E-Paper
CAG objects to fodder purchase pricing in Lucknow’s Kanha Upvan
The CAG audit team has questioned purchase of fodder at a higher rate for animals of Lucknow’s Kanha Upvan in 2018-19
The CAG audit team has questioned purchase of fodder at a higher rate for animals of Lucknow’s Kanha Upvan in 2018-19.
According to a CAG report, an additional payment of ₹29.04 lakh was made to a contractor for purchase of fodder, bran, roughage and husk for Kanha Upvan, an animal shelter with more than 10,000 strays.
The opposition is now demanding an inquiry.
“The audit objections must be taken seriously. How was the tender issued twice in a year, what made the previous contractor quit?” said leader of opposition in Lucknow Municipal Corporation house Sayyed Yawar Hussain Reshu.
“Kanha Upvan of Lucknow is considered best in the state. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath and former CM Mulayam Singh Yadav had visited the place. Anomalies in fodder purchase need to be probed,” said Congress corporator from Sardar Patel and Ramjilal Nagar ward, Girish Mishra.
However, director animal welfare Dr Arvind Kumar Rao refuted the charges.
“The audit team was not aware of the situation when the tender was floated. Earlier, one contractor was supplying fodder for the animals of Kanha Upvan in 2018-19. During that time there were only 3000 stray animals there. After that as the state government decided to provide a shelter for all strays, the number went up to 10000. The then contractor refused to supply the fodder for them and thus we forfeited his guarantee money of ₹20 lakh. A new tender was floated. By this time, fodder rates had increased. That is why the price difference is there and this has been conveyed to the audit team,” he said. “The CAG audit team is satisfied with our reply. We have nothing to hide,” he added.
