State to use e-tendering to procure tur dal

The Karnataka government has decided to procure through e-tendering tur dal for mid-day meal scheme in schools. In fact, e-auction process is already over in 12 districts. Plan is to procure 6,000 tonnes to 8,000 tonnes in the first phase.

Till last year, the government was procuring tur dal from mills and traders by inviting tenders, and quality was being assessed by “eyesight grading”. Minister for Energy, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Shobha Karandlaje told reporters here today that the Government has entered into an agreement with NCDEX Spot Exchange for e-tendering.

“E-tendering will bring in transparency, and we can ensure the quality of tur dal,” she said. Karnataka spends on an average Rs 120 crore to Rs 140 crore to procure 20,000 tonnes of tur dal for mid-day meal scheme in schools from first standard to the tenth.

Karandlaje said e-tendering is expected to result in a saving of Rs 20 crore. Officials said e-tendering would ensure that the dal mill owners and traders don’t form a cartel to rig prices.