SHILLONG, Jan 28: The FKJGP on Tuesday demanded the immediate scrapping of a tender floated by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong, alleging favouritism and preference for outside parties in a recently floated tender.
In a letter addressed to the director, the organisation conveyed displeasure and resentment, stating that the tender criteria outlined in the bid evaluation sheet (Annexure-II) were a clear case of favouritism. He alleged that the terms appeared designed to favour agencies from outside the state, thereby disadvantaging local tribal agencies and firms.
Earlier, a delegation of FKJGP members, led by the organisation’s vice president, Kitboklang Nongphlang, had met NIFT Director Shankar Kumar Jha at the institute’s permanent campus in Umsawli to express their concerns.
According to Nongphlang, the tender criteria undermine the interests of local tribal businesses and set a harmful precedent while demoralising credible and capable local firms. He highlighted specific conditions in the bid evaluation sheet, such as the requirement for an annual turnover of over Rs 100 crore in the last three years and an average turnover between Rs 100 and Rs 300 crore.
Another ‘contentious’ clause required firms to have up to 2,000 security personnel on their payroll as of the tender date. Nongphlang argued that this condition was unrealistic, given that the NIFT campus, spread across 20 acres, would only require 100-150 security personnel at most. He further criticised the criteria for assigning marks based on the number of security personnel, calling it “unacceptable.”
He stated that these terms and conditions were designed to favor large companies and agencies from outside Meghalaya, to the detriment of local tribal firms, many of which have a proven track record and credibility.
The FKJGP vice president urged the NIFT director to revoke the tender immediately. He insisted that new, fair criteria be framed to ensure that local tribal agencies and firms are not excluded from participating.
The federation emphasised that local agencies are fully capable of meeting the institute’s needs if given a fair opportunity.
