KEA denies corruption charges

Non-eligible contractors had least experience; Rs 19 lakh profit earned

Addressing a news conference here on Saturday, Manjunath said that the tender was awarded to ‘Fun World’  for Rs 1.95 crore  only after considering their experience, eligibility and security provided by them.  This apart, KEA has earned a profit of Rs 19 lakh by awarding the tender.

The tender has been cleared by a committee constituted to verify the same in order to maintain transparency. ‘Tender Verification Committee has verified bids for more than three hours, before arriving on a consensus within the legal framework,’ he said.

The authority had demanded certificates from the bidders who had organised national and international exhibitions earlier. There were four bidders who had evinced interest. However, only one could pass the technical verification committee standards and hence emerged successful bidder.

Manjunath said that the bidders who lost in the race had the credit of conducting only one-day exhibition organised by the Chitradurga Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee, which is neither an exhibition authority nor a national-level exhibition. They have also provided certificate for conducting amusement programmes at Rajasthan’s Saint Lakshmidas Seva Samsthan, which again is not an exhibition authority.

Toy train
The exhibition authority is exploring feasibility of adding one more amusement in the form of a three km toy train on the lines of Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Also plans are afoot to introduce battery operated cars at the exhibition. Plans are being made to make the ‘Snow World’ on a larger scale this year. ‘Bouncy Mount Track Games’ is also planned  this year.

Plastic ban
To maintain the environment, eateries will have to compulsorily use paper cups and plates instead of plastic. This is to make the  expo a ‘plastic-free zone’.  There is no hike in entry fee, which is fixed at Rs 10 and for children and senior citizens Rs 5. While the entry is free for children below five years  of age. Children will be provided free entry from 11 am to 3 pm on Nov 14 (Children’s Day) . Exhibition Authority CEO Hemanthkumar was present.
DH News Service