Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has leased a 7,580 square feet staff canteen at Uttara Depot of MRT Line-6 for Tk1,000.
The information came to light in a notification signed by Md Nazrul Islam, general manager (Operation and Procurement).
According to the notice, the tender submitted by contractor firm Khandaker Enterprise on January 1 to operate the 7,580 square feet staff canteen located at Uttara Depot of MRT Line-6 under Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited at a total price of Tk12,000 (excluding VAT and income tax) for one year, at the rate of Tk1,000 per month as rent, has been considered acceptable by the company.
Within seven days of the issuance of this notice, the contractor has been asked to inform in writing that they have agreed to execute the contract for three years.
It was also asked to deposit Tk3 lakh as security on March 28.
In this regard, Nazrul Islam said all procedures were completed as per government rules and it was an open tender.
When questioned about the rent discrepancy, he argued that the canteen measured 1,000 square feet, not over 7,500 square feet.
Talking to some people working at the metro rail depot, it was known that the depot works in three shifts.
On average, about 150 people work in the depot. Besides, various workshops are also organized in the depot to improve the efficiency of the employees.
No contractor company was willing to take charge of the canteen due to some of DMTCL’s conditions.
Some of the conditions are that the authorities would fix the price of food in the canteen, nothing could be cooked in the canteen, and catering services would have to be provided.
