FKJGP demands NIFT to revoke tender order 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 29, 2025

The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) on Tuesday demanded the authority of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to revoke a tender issued on January 15, as it seeks to favour agencies from outside the state.

In a letter to the NIFT director Shankar Kumar Jha, FKJGP vice president Kitboklang Nongphlang said, “I therefore request you to immediately revoke the tender immediately until and unless the new criteria which are suitable for the benefit for the Local Tribal Indigenous Agencies/ Firms had been frame by the authority of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong.”

He alleged that the tender which was float by the NIFT, Shillong as per the criteria in the Bid Evaluation Sheet Annexure-ll is a total clear case of favoritism and also a direct favor to pave way for the agencies from outside the State of Meghalaya against the local tribal agencies/firms and this has created a dangerous precedence besides demoralizing the local tribal agencies/firms.

Nongphlang mentioned in the letter “that there are some criteria in the Bid Evaluation Sheet Annexure-l| Sl.No 1 para 3 that the Annual turnover in the last 3 years should be above 100 Crores and as per Sl.No. 2 para 1 which had clearly stated that the above 100 and upto 300 Crores average turnover in the last 3 years. Again, in the Sl. No. 3 para 1 which was stated that ‘Upto 2000 security personnel on payroll as on date’.”

“These terms and conditions in the tender is a plan to favor the Companies/Agencies/Firms from outside the State of Meghalaya since an Institute of about 20 acres which is require at the most 100-150 guards/ security personnel but the condition of giving marks by putting the security man power/ security personnel marks of upto 2000 security personnel is not acceptable by the Federation,” he said.

“The FKJGP feels that the above criteria which had been mention in the Bid Evaluation Sheet is beyond the capacity of the Local Agencies/Firms which will be directly benefited for the non local agencies since there are many Local Tribal Agencies/Firms with a good credibility and track record,” Nongphlang stated further.