Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Bhawan in Mumbai has been operating without a canteen as the catering agency has allegedly absconded without paying its pending dues to the State Government.
Sources said, Dalvin Group was managing the canteen for the last five years. However, the catering agent absconded a few days ago without paying Rs 50 lakh which was pending as dues. Meanwhile, closure of the canteen has resulted in unforeseen problems for the visitors.
The agency was given the catering contract in 2013. During the period, the agency had accumulated over Rs 50 lakh in dues on account of unpaid house rent, electricity and water bills which are collected by the State government.
It is alleged that some high-level officials of the Odisha Bhawan are hand in gloves with the catering agency. When asked, Odisha Bhawan OSD Krupanidhi Biswal said the State Home Department will furnish reply.
Refuting the allegations, the agency stated that the canteen was closed since it was running at a loss.