While the losses during the 1997-98 financial year touched an all time record of Rs 41.58 lakh, the losses in 1996-97 were Rs 11.40 lakh and in 1995-96 Rs 73,000. In 1993-94 and 1994-95 the department had earned a net profit of Rs 1.50 lakh and Rs 11,000, respectively.

It is estimated that the losses will go up further this year as Super Bazar management has to pay arrears of Rs 50,000 to its employees following the implementation of revised pay-scales from January 1, 1996 onwards.

It may be recalled that this cooperative movement was started in 1974 intending to provide quality goods to the consumers at a very reasonable rate. Now, the very purpose of cooperative movement seems to have been defeated due to the lack of surveillance.

Although the Administration had declared Super Bazar an approved source for government purchase, yet it is continuing to make purchases either from National Cooperative Consumers Federation or Ambala Cooperative Stores, thereby causing financial loss to the Super Bazar.

A random visit to some of outlets selling goods indicated shortage of household items which were available easily till a few years ago. Moreover, employees at the sale counters were found to be rude.

The medicine sections of Super Bazar, once profitable centres, too have been accumulating losses over the years. It is being alleged that certain employees, who had been running these counters over the years, were allowing outsiders to work in the medicine outlets in PGI and the Sector 16 hospital.Reacting to this, senior UT officials said that the staff working in PGI, Sector 16 General Hospital and Sector 32 Government Hospital medicine branches would wear I-cards at a prominent place. And in order to check shortage, embezzlement and regular attendance, the officials said, frequent surprise checking would be conducted. Verification of stocks will also be done repeatedly, it was said.

It was further alleged that some employees having close relations with senior officials in UT Administration had managed to stay on the same posts for years together. Besides, some employees, whose antecedents were questioned by the CBI and Vigilance and charges had been proved against them, were continuing to hold prime postings, it was alleged.

The officials added that the price fixation and purchases of goods sold at the counters would be done by a committee comprising General Manager and Purchase Officer of Super Bazar, besides a representative of Director Health Services, Medical Superintendent of PGI and Prem Sagar Jain and Khem Parkash Mahajan, members of the Advisory Committee.