Chandigarh MC to procure 1,460 quintal wheat bran worth Rs 25.50 lakh for impounded stray cattle

Of the six firms, the MC had found five of them eligible for as they had submitted the requisite documents.

3 min readChandigarhNov 20, 2020 02:56 PM IST

The official date of paddy procurement has always been October 1 in previous years, but in the last two years, it was changed. In 2020-21, the date was advanced to September 25 and this year it began October 3. (File Photo)

Still under the shadow of controversy over the procurement of green and dry cattle fodder for Rs 1 crore annually, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh is set to spend Rs 25.50 lakh per year on procurement of wheat bran (choker) for impounded stray cattle.

In unusual sequence of events, the tender for the same has been floated and technical bids opened, however, an agenda in this regard has been tabled before the Finance and Contract committee now. The impounded stray cattle are kept in the two cattle pounds situated at Industrial Area in Phase I of Chandigarh.

“The impounded cattle are served wheat bran (choker) as some of the impounded cattle have been off feed due to ingestion of polythene which choke their digestive system. Thus, to avoid this condition two kg wheat bran (choker) per cattle per day has to be provided,” the agenda read.

After the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh invited e-tender for the procurement of wheat bran (choker) for cattle pounds, six firms submitted bids. The technical bids were opened by a committee consisting of CSI (Cattle Pound), SSH and AC (F and A).

Of the six firms, the MC had found five of them eligible for as they had submitted the requisite documents. The bid submitted by M/s Chandigarh Roller Flour Mills Limited was rejected as it failed to upload the documents. Thereafter, the financial bids of technically eligible firms were opened and the rates offered by firms were observed.

As per the comparative chart, Ms Apex Industries, which quoted a rate of Rs 1750 per quintal, was zeroed in on for the procurement of wheat bran. However, the agreement will be finalised after getting the nod of the Finance and Contract Committee. The agenda placed before the committee seeks approval for the procurement of 1,460 quintals of wheat bran.

At the rate of Rs 1,750 per quintal, offered by M/s Apex Industries slotted as L-1, the total expenditure will be Rs 25,55,000 for the procurement of wheat bran for one year. “Quantity can be increased and decreased as per demand of cattle pound on the basis of the number of stray cattle impounded,” the agenda read.

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Congress councillor Satish Kainth said when the tender has already been floated and financial bids have also been opened, then why was an agenda being brought before the Finance and Contract committee. “This approval should have taken before carrying out the entire process,” he said.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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