Is There Any Bias in the Allocation of Kiosks at Bengaluru Metro Stations?

Bengaluru, June 18 (NationPress) In response to the controversy surrounding the allocation of stalls to Amul at Bengaluru Metro stations, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) clarified on Wednesday that no favoritism was shown during the assignment process.

This statement comes amid backlash over the granting of 10 stalls to Amul, with allegations from JD(S) and Kannada activists that the state is favoring Amul over the local brand Nandini. The state government emphasized that the Metro is operated by the central authority, and concerns should be directed toward them.

Following the uproar, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced plans to instruct BMRCL to reallocate 8 of the 10 stalls designated for Amul.

BMRCL's Chief Public Relations Officer, Yashwanth Chavan, addressed the media on Wednesday, stating, “Shops and stalls at Bengaluru Metro stations are allocated through a tender process. Amul won 10 stalls through this competitive bidding.”

“Should Nandini enter future tenders, we will allocate stalls accordingly. We do not favor any particular brand. The 10 stalls were assigned to Amul for five years at a monthly rent of Rs 7 lakh. Nandini did not participate in the recent tender called by BMRCL,” he elaborated.

“Retail outlets are strictly awarded through a bidding process. If Nandini had applied for the tender, we would have treated it as any other contender,” he noted.

The Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, criticized the government on Wednesday for its lack of interest in participating in the tender process for opening kiosks in Bengaluru Metro stations.

Ashoka alleged, “The Congress party, which promoted the Nandini brand during its election campaign, now appears to be intent on undermining it after assuming power.”

He pointed out the abrupt transfer of KMF Managing Director, M.K. Jagadish, who was actively engaged in expanding the Nandini brand through popular products like ready-made idli and dosa batter and whey protein.

“Currently, the government has shown no interest in participating in the tender to establish dairy outlets at Bengaluru’s metro stations,” he remarked.

In response, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated that the opposition parties, BJP and JD(S), should acknowledge that the Metro is managed by the central government and address their concerns accordingly.

Nonetheless, on Wednesday, the Congress government revealed that it has directed BMRCL to allow the establishment of Nandini milk kiosks at select Metro stations in the state capital that had been allocated to Amul.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, also serving as Bengaluru Development Minister, confirmed that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which markets Nandini products, has been instructed to apply to BMRCL for opening outlets at Metro stations. He has further directed Metro officials to facilitate Nandini outlets at eight of the ten proposed locations.

When questioned by the media on Wednesday about Amul opening outlets at Metro stations, Shivakumar stated, “BMRCL had called for tenders, but apart from Amul, no other organization applied. KMF also did not submit an application. We have now instructed KMF to apply. Out of the ten locations for which tenders were invited, Amul has applied in the global tender and opened outlets at two locations.”

“It would not be appropriate to close down the Amul outlets that are already operational. I have instructed that KMF should be permitted to open outlets at the remaining eight locations,” Shivakumar added.

It should be noted that BMRCL had entered a license agreement with M/s Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, known as Amul, to establish ‘Amul Retail Kiosks’ at 10 Metro stations in Bengaluru.

The Amul kiosks are set to be established at Pattandur Agrahara, Indiranagar, Benniganahalli, Biyappanahalli, Trinity Junction, Sir M Visveswaraya, Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Station Majestic, National College, Jayanagar, and Banashankari Metro stations.

The announcement indicated that these kiosks will offer the full range of Amul dairy products, chocolates, potato-based snacks, organic products, and oils.

JD(S) and Kannada activists have voiced their concerns regarding the establishment of Amul kiosks at Metro stations while Karnataka boasts its own brand, Nandini.

Activists have demanded that the state government rescind the permission granted to Amul kiosks and prioritize Nandini kiosks instead.