It has been learnt that the contractors had stopped supplying fish and meat to the DCJ as the authorities did not approve the contractors' bid, which quoted higher rates for the items, on time. The DCJ is now accommodating around 9,000 prisoners and detainees.

According to sources concerned, the bidders' rates for different items were quite in line with existing market prices and the tender evaluation committee also recommended to accept the proposal.

In the wake of growing resentment among the prisoners and detainees, the authorities resumed providing fish and meat from the last week of July. Suppliers to a number of other jails have also expressed their inability to supply some items anymore due to the rise in prices.

Section 1098 of the jail code obligates the jail authorities to provide the inmates a ration of fish or meat on every other day at lunch or dinner while section 1101 says alteration of the diet is violation of the rules, and depriving the inmates of their deserved meals is a heinous crime.

After submission of the bids to supply food for July-December at different prisons, the tender evaluation committee of the DCJ, in May, scrutinised bidders' proposal and asked the inspector general (IG) of prisons to accept a bid that offered one kilogram (kg) of beef at Tk 150, mutton at Tk 190 and Tk 175 based on quality, sugar at Tk 52 and soyabean oil at Tk 56 per litre.

The evaluation committee of each prison considered the market price of each item, value added tax (Vat), income tax and profit of the contractor before sending recommendations to the IG for final approval.

The committee comprises deputy inspector generals (DIG), district civil surgeon, a magistrate as representative of the district administration, superintendent of the prison concerned and a social welfare officer.

Talking to this correspondent, a few senior jail officials said the problem arose after the IG prisons unilaterally disregarded the evaluation committee's recommendation.

The authorities called for a re-tender in June and the evaluation committee submitted their recommendation after scrutinising the bids. But the prison's authorities are yet to make their decision on that, said sources.

As the contractors stopped supplying fish and meat, the DCJ authorities could provide the inmates fish only twice in the last week of July. They provided the inmates egg instead of fish or meat, which too is in violation of rules.

Talking to The Daily Star, a senior prisons official said bidders' rates for mutton, beef, soybean oil, sugar were not irrational, adding, "There is no alternative but to accept the market rates and ensure quality."

The authorities slash seven percent as Vat and income tax from the supply price, he said.

As per the Public Procurement Act, if bidders' new rates are not accepted, the suppliers will get the bill as per the previously accepted rate.

Since the price of all the items have significantly risen, no supplier is agreeing to supply at the previous rates, said the sources. "No supplier is now agreeing to supply mutton at Tk 150 per kg, beef at Tk 105, sugar at Tk 42-43, soyabean oil at Tk 45-46 per litre," said a source.

Meanwhile, authorities' failure to supply fish and meat has caused resentment among the prisoners and detainees.

Talking to The Daily Star, IG of Prisons Brigadier General Zakir Hasan said, "The problem arose as the contractors, establishing a syndicate, proposed higher rates for meat and fish and declined to reconsider their bids."

He said the prison authorities are now providing the inmates fish and meat as per the rules after the contractors reduced their rates 'a little bit'.