Scores of employees and visitors to the iconic Civic Centre in the Capital can blame it on the politicians for their hungry stomachs. Sensing ‘too much interference’ by the leaders, caterers have expressed their inability to run a cafeteria at the 28-storey building which houses the headquarters of the North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations.
It was earlier planned to rope in Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to run a canteen but the agency, sources said, stepped back citing political influence. The North Delhi Corporation has now called for open bid to shortlist a caterer for the same. Despite its inauguration four years ago, the Civic Centre is without a cafeteria and thus, causing inconvenience to its occupants.
A senior official said the tenders will be floated by next week for hiring the caterer. However, the civic body has so far failed in its efforts to hire a contractor for running the canteen. The proposed eatery will be situated on the ground floor of the A-Block of the Civic Centre. According to officials, over 3,000 employees of North and South Delhi Corporations are working in the building while the offices are frequented by at least 2,000 visitors daily. Sources said the IRCTC was to start the cafeteria in July last year but it refused. As per the agreement, the engineering department of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation had also purchased equipment, furniture and crockery for the purpose. However, after the IRCTC withdrew, the civic body plans to provide them to the new contractor.
Officials said there will provision for breakfast, lunch and snacks during office hours on working days from 9.00 am to 6.30 pm. While the food will be available at subsidised rates for the employees of the corporation, the visitors will have to pay the menu price as decided upon by the civic body and the caterer. “The prices of menu or food to be served will be decided taking into consideration the actual cost of raw material, overhead (manpower and other) expenses, Government’s levies and taxes applicable,” officials said. The health department of the corporation would keep a check on the quality of the food as well as the hygiene at the upcoming cafeteria so that high standards of services are maintained.