The Bombay High Court announced that it will deliver its verdict on August 5 regarding several petitions challenging the Maharashtra government’s tender conditions for distributing subsidized food kits. This decision is part of the ‘Anandacha Shidha’ scheme, aimed to benefit 1.7 crore people during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in September.
Presided over by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, the court has put a temporary hold on any further steps in the tender process until the final order is issued. “Hold your hands till then. We will pass the order on Monday (August 5),” stated the High Court during the proceedings.
The state government initially launched the ‘Anandacha Shidha’ scheme during Diwali, providing subsidized food kits for Rs 100, which included essential items like rava or suji, chana dal, sugar, and soybean oil. The success of the initiative during Diwali and Gudi Padwa led to its extension to the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
The controversy stems from the stringent conditions in the tender that require potential suppliers to have 70 distribution units and 300 laborers per work order. Indo Allied Protein Foods Pvt Ltd, Gunia Commercials Pvt Ltd, and Kendriya Bhandar have contested these conditions, prompting legal scrutiny.
