Contractors form cartel to bid for hair at knockdown price

Ramatheertham temple authorities cancel auction twice

Vizianagaram: Contractors allegedly formed as a cartel and are trying to bid for tonsured hair at Ramatheertham temple at knock down price. The temple gets annual revenue of Rs 35 lakh through the auction of hair but this year the contractors came to a tacit understanding and are reportedly planning to bid only Rs 25 lakh.

Sale of tonsured hair is the main source of income source for Ramateertham temple. Long and good quality hair has high demand in international market.

Based on the length, hair would be divided into categories and the top quality would fetch around Rs12,000 - 15,000 per kg.American and European countries imports hair from India. Contractors from Vizag, East and West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur also come here to participate in the auction. The previous year the temple got income of Rs 35 lakh and as per norms, the tender amount should be hiked by ten per cent every year.

However, the contractors came to a tacit understanding and have decided to quote not more than Rs 30 lakh. Meanwhile, the temple authorities got a whiff of the proceedings and have cancelled the auction twice.

Speaking to The Hans India K Babu Rao executive officer of Ramatheertham temple said in no uncertain terms that they would not allow any contractor to bid a lesser price. “We have been following strict norms and increasing the income every year. We will again call for tenders and hand over the hair to the person who quotes higher figure,” he said.