SC wants to revive CP’s Super Bazaar

NEW DELHI: In a bid to restart the Super Bazaar in Connaught Place, which has been closed for the last several years, the Supreme Court has directed the court-appointed committee to invite bids within two weeks.

 

A bench comprising Justice B P Singh and Justice Alatamash Kabir in an order dated May 5, directed the committee to publish the details of the assets and liabilities of the now-defunct bazaar in a brochure which should be made available to the interested parties by an officer appointed for the purpose.

 

The court also directed that every bidder shall have to deposit Rs five crore as earnest money and have to disclose its financial capability, experience and expertise in the field to run the bazaar in a profitable manner. The Super Bazaar had to be closed down after it started running into huge losses due to rampant corruption among its officials and suppliers. The NDMC claimed the premises saying it would convert it into a complex and told the court the bazaar had Rs 45 crore outstanding as rent arrears.

 

The court, however, told the NDMC its dues will be paid out of the money received from the bidders. The Union government has agreed to write off its dues of about 60-65 crore outstanding against Super Bazaar.

 

The Super Bazaar which was opened by the Centre to provide articles of daily use to Delhiites at reasonable prices was in the red since 1998 and had to be closed down.