Sheekha Bureau
Sri Vijaya Puram, August 13: Alleging serious irregularities, overcharging and fraudulent billing at the canteen operating inside Andaman Bhawan at Chanakya Puri, New Delhi, NSUI State President and Co-Opted Member of the Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), Mr. M.A. Sajid, has sought immediate registration of an FIR and termination of the canteen contractor’s contract.
In a letter dated August 11 addressed (mailed) to the Deputy Resident Commissioner, Andaman Bhawan, Mr. Sajid alleged that the canteen contractor was charging customers rates significantly higher than those prescribed in the official rate chart displayed inside the canteen. He claimed that he had personally observed the alleged overcharging and had also received bills showing inflated prices.
Mr. Sajid alleged that customers, including islanders visiting Delhi for medical treatment and other urgent work, were being charged double or even triple the approved rates for certain items. He termed the alleged practice a serious matter requiring immediate administrative and legal intervention.
According to the letter, copy of which is shared with Andaman Sheekha Daily, copies of bills showing the alleged discrepancy between the prices charged and the official rate chart have been submitted as evidence. Mr. Sajid alleged that the matter could constitute cheating, forgery and breach of trust, and urged the authorities to examine the records and take appropriate action in accordance with law.
He further demanded that an FIR be registered against the canteen contractor and any concerned staff found responsible following an investigation. He also sought immediate termination and removal of the contractor from the Andaman Bhawan premises.
Calling for a high-level inquiry, Mr. Sajid questioned how the alleged irregularities could continue under the supervision of the authorities and sought an investigation into the role of officials responsible for monitoring the canteen. He further demanded that any excess amount collected from customers be identified and refunded, and that the approved rate chart and a complaint book be prominently displayed inside the canteen.
Mr. Sajid emphasized that Andaman Bhawan is an important facility for the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly those who travel to Delhi for treatment and other essential purposes. He said the facility should serve islanders at affordable rates and should not become a source of financial exploitation.
He requested the Deputy Resident Commissioner to intervene immediately and submit an action-taken report within seven days. Copies of the complaint were also forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary and Resident Commissioner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for necessary action.
In this regard, Andaman Sheekha Daily contacted a senior officer of Andaman Bhawan, New Delhi, to seek the administration’s response to the allegations raised in the complaint. The officer assured that the matter would be examined and stated that the action taken in this regard would be shared with Andaman Sheekha.
The Andaman Sheekha team will closely monitor developments in the matter and report further updates as they emerge, particularly as the issue concerns an important facility for the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including islanders who travel to Delhi for medical treatment and other essential purposes.
