The multi state cooperative society operates a network of 114 stores in Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadir, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Karalla, Daman, GAO, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal,Rajasthan,Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh. The DOPT vide their OM NO.14/12/94-Welfare (Valhi) dated 05-07-2007 has decided as under in consultation with Ministry of Finance:- (a) That Ministries/Departments are permitted to make purchases at their discretion of all items required for office consumption unto Rs.1 lakh on each occasion directly from Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF without calling for quotations. The responsibility for ensuring reasonableness of rates, quality, specification etc. will be equally that of purchasing Ministry/Department and Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF. The reasonableness of rates, quality, specification etc. should be certified by the local purchase Committee as envisaged under Rule 146 of the GFRs, 2005. (b) For procurement of all items of office consumption beyond Rs.1 lakh to Rs.25 lakh,where limited tenders are to be invited as per Rule 151 of the GFRs, 2005, Kendriya Bhandar and NCCF among others shall also be invited to participate in such limited tenders, in case these cooperatives are functioning at the station. Other things being equal, Purchase Preference will be granted to Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF, if the price quoted by the cooperatives is within 10% of the L1 price and if these cooperative societies are willing to match the L1 price. No price preference over and above the L1 price shall be given to these cooperatives. However, Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF will be exempted from furnishing bid security (Earnest Money Deposit). (c) Supply orders uptoRs.25 lakh, in respect of office equipments covered under the DGS&D rate contract may also be procured from Kendirya Bhandar and NCCF provided KendriyaBhandar/NCCF offer the items at DGS&D rate contracted prices as also fulfill all the contractual obligations which the manufacturers/suppliers of such products are required to meet under the DGS&D rate contract. The Ministries/Departments shall make their own arrangements for inspection and testing of such goods where required. (d) The above dispensation shall be applicable only upto 31-3-2010. In line with latest trend in retailing, Kendriya Bhandar has taken up concerted efforts to modernize the existing stores in term of its ambience, display system, computerization etc.in a phased manner. In this direction, Netaji Nagar and Pandara Road, R.K.Puram Sector-IV, PushpaBhawan, Pragmatic Vihar, Hari Nagar, Krishi Kunj, R.K.Puram-I, Patel Dham and Patparganj Stores of Kendriya Bhandar have been modernized and action is in hand to modernize other stores in a phased manner.