Row over expired food: IIT-Bombay mess contractor withdraws services

A caterer who was previously operating in hostel 10 will now provide food for hostels 12, 13 and 14. Representation pic

Even before the Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay (IIT-B) could take action against the mess contractor for hostels 12, 13 and 14, for keeping expired food items and using significant amounts of ajinomoto (monosodium glutamate) in the food, he withdrew the services. Temporary food arrangements have been made to cater to about 1,000 students residing in the hostels.

The incident came to light last month when students' council members of the largest hostel of IIT-B paid a surprise visit to the mess kitchen. A formal complaint was raised by the students' council and decisions were taken to levy fine on the mess contractor for violating the regulations. But even before any action could be taken, the mess contractor withdrew the services. This is with immediate effect as the contract had already expired. The student media body of the institute said that while a new tendering process was underway, temporary food arrangements had been done for the students.

"Due to the pandemic, a few procedures were on hold, and renewing the contract of the mess contractor was one of them. Because of this the contractor could withdraw his services without a mandated three-month notice period. But temporary arrangements have been done while new tenders are being invited," shared an official from the institute. A caterer who was previously operating in hostel 10 will now provide food for these hostels.

"A new service has been arranged but it will take some time to get used to it. Thankfully there are not many students on campus due to the pandemic," shared a student.

While online learning continues at IIT-B, a few students have been allowed to return to campus as they were facing connectivity issues at home. Apart from these, research candidates too have been allowed to resume their coursework as per the central government guidelines.