Question : TENDERS FOR STATIONERY

(a) whether it is a fact that Kendriya Bhandar has invited limited and open tender for the supply of stationery and other items with a stipulated that preference shall be given to reputed manufacturer or their authorised distributor only;

(b) whether it is also a fact that tenders were considered from bidders who were not authorised by the manufacturers particularly in the case of M/s Bombay dying & Mfg. Co. Limited, Mumbai;

(c) if so, why were such bids not rejected at the first sight;

(d) what action the Government propose to take to fix the accountability and responsibility in this regard;

(e) do the products of Bombay Dying & Mfg. Co. Limited fall in the category of `branded` item;

(f) if so, why was a tender called in respect of these branded products; and

(g) the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES, AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING, DEPARTMENT OF PENSIONS AND PENSIONERS WELFARE OF THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND SPACE. (SMT.VASUNDHARA RAJE)

(a): Yes, Sir. Kendriya Bhandar has invited tenders for supply of many items including Towel. In the tender for Towel, it was stipulated that preference shall be given to reputed manufacturer or their authorised distributor. The world `only` was not mentioned.

(b): No, Sir.

(c)&(d): Does not arise In view of (b) above.

(e): Yes, Sir.

(f): Tender enquiry was called for Turkish Towel (Luxury) Mill made (Bombay Dying or equivalent). The purpose of floating the tender enquiry was to enable the purchasers to get competitive rates from different distributors of same brand and, if possible, to get rates for equivalent products of other manufacture

(g): Does not arise in view of (f) above.