Unused buses at Anik depot: BEST says contract terminated as firm flouted norms

BEST undertaking stated that throughout the duration of the contract, the operator was repeatedly served with notices for not adhering to contract terms.

“The contract was finally terminated in December 2022 due to failure to meet the requirements as per the prescribed norms,” the statement added.

BEST gave several reasons for the cancellation including frequent bus breakdowns, operational irregularities, failure to meet the service level agreement and Provident Fund contribution defaults.

The undertaking further added that the operator had ceased operating even prior to the formal cancellation of the contract.

After the contract ended, the operator lodged a claim under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) in April 2023.

An Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) was appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai, as part of the process.

“The buses stationed at Anik depot are under the IRP’s control,” BEST said.

BEST also informed that it has found out that the liquidator is now undertaking the auction of the buses and that the undertaking has already written to the liquidator seeking removal of the buses.

“It should be noted that these buses are not being moved as the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Interim Resolution Professional,” the statement added.