Tender scrutiny saves DDCA lakhs, ups profit

DDCA will benefit from hosting the game, feels treasurer Manchanda. (Source: File)

The streamlining of the process for submitting and awarding tenders for various services to be provided during the fourth Test between India and South Africa has ensured that the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) will end up making a profit by hosting the game.

For over two days, Justice (retired) Mukul Mudgal, assisted by a former deputy comptroller and auditor general and a committee of the DDCA have been closeted in a room vetting tender applications for various services submitted by agencies.

Those who have been successful are being awarded tenders only after being asked to revise their bids to ensure the DDCA is not being over-charged. On the other hand, the agency which has bagged in-stadia rights is coughing up a little over ` 2 crore, an increase of ` 50 lakh compared to previous games hosted at the Feroz Shah Kotla. “Barring in one or two cases (tenders) by and large the rates have come down. We have ensured that the entire tender process is cost-effective for the DDCA,” justice Mudgal said on Thursday.

DDCA treasurer Ravinder Manchanda is confident that as a result of the checks and balances put in place by justice Mudgal, the cash-strapped association will benefit from hosting the game.

“We will be able to show profit in the books of the DDCA. Overall, we will be paying ` 50 lakh less to vendors as compared to previous games hosted by the association. For example, the cost of walkie-talkies is now one-third of what we had been paying previously. In the case of CCTVs, it is about 40 to 50 per cent less. We are likely to save about ` 10 lakh on X-ray machine services. On top of this we are receiving an additional ` 50 lakh for in-stadia rights,” Manchanda said.

It is learnt that Mudgal, the deputy CAG and the three members of the tender committee of the DDCA — Sidharth Verma, Salil Seth and Subhash Sharma — are not just accepting the lowest bid but also bargaining with vendors before awarding the short contract. For example a vendor who quoted the lowest price among those who were submitting tenders for a particular service was asked to come back with a more competitive rate. He returned shortly with a bid which was almost half of what was initially quoted. The agency contracted to print tickets for the Test match is costing the DDCA around 20 per cent less than before.

Moreover, the number of applicants have also increased this time because the process of awarding tenders is being handled by a Delhi High Court-appointed former judge rather than a few DDCA officials, as was the practice in the past.

Changes are also likely to be visible outside the accounting books. Spectators won’t have to burn a hole in their pocket to buy lunch, snacks or tea during the Test match, justice Mudgal promised. “We are in the process of negotiating with vendors to ensure that food is reasonably priced for all spectators. We are making sure that those setting up stalls charge uniform rates, which are not exorbitant,” justice Mudgal said.

Moreover, light refreshments will also be provided to the over 8,000 children to whom tickets are being issued for free. Of these 250 free tickets are being reserved for children from a hearing and speech impaired school, an orphanage and an NGO.

If DDCA officials are to be believed, a separate block has been designated for league and local cricketers, in addition to an enclosure for current and former international cricketers. Senior citizens and physically challenged spectators will also have ‘reserved seating’. A ticket-counter will also be set-up at the DDCA premises.