With reference to the news report, ‘ >Row over food contracts at Chennai, Kolkata airports ,’ published in May, Srinath Raghavan, Regional Director, Travel Food Services Chennai Private Limited, clarifies that there was indeed a formal process of tender invitation.
This process was followed as per the norms of the Airports Authority of India listed on their website. A pre-bid meeting was held in which many leading brands and companies took part and the tender process was as per the standard practice.
Reacting to the point that bidders did not meet the criteria, Mr. Raghavan said the AAI had sent out formal letters asking for clarifications, for documents, and information submitted under the technical bid. Only bidders who met the technical eligibility criteria were then invited to submit financial bids.
An Integrity Pact was not signed at the time of submission of documents, as it was not required. The reason was that the financial criteria of the bid at the tender time did not fall under the purview of the Integrity Pact.
