www.thestatesman.net
KALIMPONG, Nov. 11 — Officials of the Cinchona directorate — the largest PSU in the hills — have expressed doubts regarding the state government’s move to sell cinchona barks through auction as this is the first time that Writers’ Building has decided to come forward to project the sale of barks via auction rather than the usual way of doing it by floating of tenders.
Reliable sources with the directorate claimed that such a process has never actually been taken up by the state. “This move by the state government has come after proposals both by international and national firms for the purchase of barks were turned down by the state finance department”, a source engaged with the directorate for more than two decades, said.
The Tender Committee, comprising the Darjeeling DM, Divisional Commissioner (Jalpaiguri) and a state commerce industry representative, has reportedly received tenders from a couple of Indian firms only to be rejected by Writers’.
Barks worth more than Rs 40 crore (including those stored in godowns) are now available with the directorate. The bottom line though — the source claims — remains as to whether the state is actually concerned about the fate of the plantations which employ more than 5000 labourers.
More significantly, it was just about a year back when The Statesman had obtained a copy of the proposal placed by the German medical firm named Buckhler (a leading dealer in Cinchona barks internationally) for the buying of barks at the international market rate. “After having turned down the offer, the state also rejected applications placed by almost
four Indian firms”, he said adding, “Officials from Writers’ have not visited the plantations for the last five years. So naturally they are never aware of the ground realities. The industry even lacks transparency “.
The negligence though remains exposed at a time just when a teenager at Mirik seemingly died after having been affected with the malarial parasite.
Unfortunately, even as the Left-run administration claims of being in a state of financial crisis — they besides running the directorate as a mere welfare association (since it’s running at an annual loss of Rs 24 core) — apparently have not pushed themselves for the sale of barks annually which now lies in an almost rotten state in the godowns.
The DGHC too has never bothered to act as a pressure group for the revitalisation of the industry. When asked about it, the source alleged, “This perhaps is a sign of discrimination for the hill people. It is really curious as to what would happen if the functioning of this industry comes to a halt in the next few years”