Audit report raps MC over delay in automated poultry plant

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 10

The audit report has rapped the Municipal Corporation for the delay in commissioning of an automated poultry plant in the city and exposing the residents to the threat of bird flu.

The latest audit report mentions that the MC had decided to establish an automated poultry plant in the city in 2003 and decided to hire a consultant for the preparation of the ground work for this project. Initial budget of Rs 9 lakh was earmarked for hiring a consultant for the project.

Expressions-of-interest were invited by the MC from time to time, but nothing fruitful emerged. In 2008, the MC received a proposal from Venky’s India ltd with an estimated project cost of Rs 25 crore, including the land cost, but no serious action in this regard was taken.

In 2009, the MC contacted the National Meat and Poultry Processing Board to seek consultancy for the project. Board demanded Rs 34.75 lakh as the consultancy fee, but the MC failed to take a decision. Later, the Board informed that it will not provide the consultancy, but will only help in the preparation of the project report.

The report mentions that in the meantime, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries of India had started a scheme for setting up abattoirs. Under the scheme, Rs 15 crore grant could be availed after submitting a detailed project report. But the MC authorities had failed to prepare a DPR in 14 years.

The audit report says that inertia in the echelons of the corporation has deprived the benefit of quality meat products to over a million people of the city and its periphery. This policy inertia has exposed the densely-populated union territory to the ever-present threat of highly contagious and virulent strain of bird flu virus. Further, the cost of the project has also increased the over the period of time.

Former Councillor Saurabh Joshi said the MC should stop playing with the health of the residents and start the process to set up the plant.