Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous Alleges Irregularities in Barabati Food Court Stall Allotment
In a significant development, Barabati MLA Sofia Firdous has leveled serious allegations of irregularities in the distribution of stalls at the Barabati food court in Cuttack. On Friday, Firdous accused the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) of a lack of transparency and unfair practices, sparking a controversy over the management of the civic project.
Allegations of Bias and Lack of Transparency
At a press conference, MLA Sofia Firdous stated that the allotment process has unfairly sidelined genuine local vendors who have been operating in the area for many years. She alleged that the process favored select groups, raising concerns about fairness and equity. Firdous emphasized that there was no proper public notification in newspapers inviting applications for stall allotment, which she claims led to inadequate dissemination of information and a biased selection process.
"The entire process lacks transparency and appears biased. Local vendors have been ignored despite their long association with the area," Firdous said, highlighting the plight of long-standing vendors who feel marginalized by the new system.
Administrative Lapses and Infrastructure Issues
Firdous further pointed out administrative lapses in the project, which was completed in 2024 and inaugurated in August 2025. She noted that the Rs 8.5 crore food court remains largely non-operational, with basic infrastructure such as a designated parking facility still absent. The MLA also criticized the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the civic body, terming them "non-transparent and unfavourable" for vendors.
In a startling claim, Firdous alleged that Cuttack Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh publicly tore up the SOP issued by the CMC, raising serious questions over governance and accountability within the municipal corporation.
CMC's Response and Defense
Responding to the allegations, Mayor Subhash Singh dismissed the claims as baseless and defended the process adopted by the CMC. He asserted that all stall allotments have been carried out in a completely transparent manner, with the CMC commissioner personally monitoring the entire process.
"A team of officials has been engaged for proper monitoring. A list of vendors prepared by CMC earlier were allotted stalls in the lottery system," Singh said, emphasizing the use of a fair lottery method for allocation.
Singh also questioned Firdous's understanding of civic procedures, noting that she is a businesswoman and may not have complete knowledge about such projects. He added that the second phase of allotment for 38 shops started in early April, and the CMC is aiming to make the food court operational by June.
Project Details and Future Plans
According to the CMC, 88 food shops are expected to be finalized by May, with basic infrastructure already completed. In the first phase, 45 shops have been allotted through a lottery system, and the second phase for 38 shops is currently underway. Applications for this phase are open from April 4 to April 24, as part of efforts to streamline the process and ensure broader participation.
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges in urban governance and project implementation in Cuttack, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives about transparency and fairness in public initiatives.
