Contractor issues: IHC hears cattle market’s case today

On Sept 26, court had ordered CDA to suspend agreement with private contractor.

ISLAMABAD: The city managers are hoping for a positive outcome from today’s hearing at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the cattle market’s contract to a private person at Sector I-11.

The spokesperson of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Asim Khichi, said the authority would try to explain the court its position and the terms and conditions of the contract it had signed with the contractor to manage the affairs of the city’s biggest cattle market.

On September 18, the authority had bid out the temporary cattle market for a record Rs21 million. The successful contractor was mandated to manage market’s management until October 8.

However, later, a group of cattle traders allegedly backed by those contractors who failed to win the bid moved the IHC taking the plea that the contractor was charging escalated rent to establish sale points in the market.

The court on September 26, issued an interim order directing CDA to cancel its contract at once. Following the decision, CDA asked the firm to wrap up its operation and vacate the market site.

Every year, CDA establishes a temporary cattle market in light of Eidul Azha near the Fruit and Vegetable Market at Sector I-11 which serves as the main purchase point for sacrificial animals for the twin cities.

“The court’s decision has left the authority in a lurch. The biggest question at the authority is how it would manage the affairs of the market using its own resources and manpower,” commented an official of the municipal administration of the authority.

He said the decision had not only barred the authority from collection of Rs21 million bid amount but also the collection of animals’ entry fee and establishment of animal sale points within the market.

“We lack resources and manpower to manage the market and if the court upholds its decision after Monday’s hearing we will be left with no other option but to hire a contractor after paying handsome money to manage the market,” said the official.

Khichi said the court would be informed about all the complexities the authority would face if it decides in favour of those who moved the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2014.