SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries of Kashmir (FCIK) has raised serious concerns about the potential negative impact of the Agriculture Department’s mixed tendering system under the Kisan Khidmat Ghar scheme of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). FCIK has called for the immediate intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to ensure that local manufacturing units are not sidelined by this system.
In a statement issued here, FCIK expressed alarm over the department’s decision to combine two distinct product categories—furniture and electronic items—into a single tender package. The Federation believes that this mixed tendering approach will result in fewer qualified bidders for each category, potentially disadvantaging local manufacturers and leading to a lack of competition.
The Chamber criticized this approach as another attempt to marginalize local businesses and warned that it could lead to the procurement of substandard products at inflated prices, undermining the principles of transparent and competitive public procurement, which are intended to ensure high-quality products at competitive prices.
According to FCIK, this decision not only creates confusion among potential bidders but also complicates the bidding process, making it more difficult for qualified suppliers to compete effectively. “The tenders are simply unworkable for our members in the furniture sector, who lack the infrastructure and capabilities to meet the requirements for electronic items. We believe this mixed tender will either result in inadequate bids or a lack of qualified suppliers altogether,” said FCIK President Shahid Kamili.
Kamili also pointed out that the supply of furniture falls under 358 reserved items for Micro and Small Units, as outlined in the Union Government’s Public Procurement Policy under the MSME Act of 2006. He expressed concern that recent tenders issued by the Agriculture Production Departments in Budgam and Srinagar combine furniture and electronics, a move that has sparked widespread concern among local furniture manufacturers.
In other districts like Bandipora, Baramulla, and Anantnag, while separate tenders have been issued for furniture and equipment, the stringent qualification criteria imposed have effectively excluded local manufacturers from participating in the procurement process.
“This approach, combining two unrelated procurement categories, has created confusion and difficulties for businesses, potentially undermining the objective of securing quality products at competitive prices while adhering to procurement policies,” Kamili said.
FCIK has assured that it will continue to advocate for the interests of local manufacturers, including raising the issue with both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, urging them to ensure that local industries are not sidelined in the ambitious 5,000-crore Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
The Federation also informed that it had already brought the marketing concerns of local manufacturers to the attention of the CM and DCM, who have shown prompt support by directing a review of the current practices.
“We are pleased that a draft Public Procurement Policy has been released for public consultation, and we are hopeful that it will be finalized after thorough discussions with all stakeholders. This policy is expected to address concerns such as earnest money and turnover exemptions for local units, as well as ensure reservation for them in procurement processes,” Kamili added.
The Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), launched by the Prime Minister on March 7, 2024, aims to establish 1,000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars in Jammu and Kashmir. These centres will serve as one-stop solutions for farmers, equipped with multifunctional kiosks featuring industrial products manufactured by local enterprises, alongside other advanced equipment, hardware, and software facilities. Other components of the HADP include the procurement of industrial products like polyhouses.
FCIK raises alarm over mixed tendering in Kisan Khidmat Ghar Scheme, urges govt intervention
