News
Tender standoff due to political influence derails train canteens
Hundreds of thousands of train commuters are being deprived of an essential service- the railway canteens and related outlets, for the past eight months, following a tender standoff caused by political interference, while the Dept loses millions of rupees in vital revenue, it was revealed this week.
According to inside sources, a single individual with known political contacts and with the backing of certain errant railway officials, is blocking any other person from tendering for the railway canteens.
Closed: The canteen at Maradana station. Pic by Indika Handuwala
This individual, according to a trade union official, had earlier operated the canteen for several years on his own conditions, while providing the Railways Dept with a paltry income.
“Time and again, this individual had used political muscle to prevent any other person from bidding in this sector, despite the fact that some had offered better rates than himself,” Sumathipala Manawadu with the All Ceylon Railway General Working Union (ACRGWU), told the Sunday Times.
He added that, it was in this backdrop that the management decided to close the canteens, both mobile and otherwise. However, it was the commuter who had to face the difficulties, while the loss to the Department was in the region of Rs. eight million per month.
At present, there are some 40 permanent canteens housed at various railway stations throughout the country, with another additional 14 mobile canteens on trains operating on long distance routes. “They are all closed at the moment,” Mr. Manawadu said.
He said that the situation had led to the presence of unscrupulous traders selling their goods at blackmarket prices with the connivance of certain railway officials.
The presence of these persons could be seen at all the main railway stations such as Colombo Fort, Maradana, Negombo, Kandy, Matara, Galle, Nanu Oya, Bandarawela, etc, on a 24-hour basis, he said.
According to Mr. Manawadu, the standard procedures for tender bids called in 2012 and 2013 was shot down, allowing the same individual to win the day.
He said that, for example, this person paid only Rs 2.50 per km for a mobile canteen, also known as the train buffet, while other bidders had offered Rs 12.50 for the same distance.
He added that the man had signed on for a period of two years, but had extended his contract at the end of 2012 with the help of outside influence.
“On the other hand, the products sold were overpriced, and some food items unfit for human consumption, but he was allowed to get away, as complaints fell on deaf ears,” Mr. Manawadu said.
“It is such issues, along with others, that led to the frustration of top management who finally got the nerve to challenge this man’s authority and order the immediate closure of the canteens,” he said.
He added that this individual also owes an undisclosed sum of money to the Department, but very little effort is being taken by the relevant officials to recover these dues.
General Manager Railways, B.A.P. Ariyaratne conceded that there was an issue with the tender procedures, but at the same time, vowed that he would not bow down to pressure from any quarter.
“Some of the allegations made against the issue are of substance, while others are not true. However, it is the commuter who has to face the brunt of all this, and I intend to change the situation at the very earliest.”
He said that, at present, there are three bidders and the tender will be given to the highest on call, on a temporary basis, until there is a permanent solution.
“At present, persons seeking to bid for the tenders, fall below the required criteria such as hygiene, food quality, prices etc, but I have no other option other than to give it to one of them, in a bid to end the inconvenience caused to rail users that include a large number of foreign visitors to the country,” Mr. Ariyaratne added.