Tender for smart card based licences upheld

The bench of Justice Huluwadi G Ramesh and Justice RMT Teekaa Raman in a 200-page judgment upheld the appeal filed by the Government challenging the order of the single judge who stayed it, said, “Looked at in any angle, there being no categorical allegation of mala fide intention, arbitrariness or discriminatory tactics adopted in the whole of the tender process.” 

Also, on dismissing the writ petitions from Smart Chip Limited and Madras Security Printers Private Limited challenging the offer of tender to Bon Ton Softwares Private Limited, the bench pointed out, “Neither any mala fide has been attributed to the tender conditions nor has it been submitted that the conditions are framed to favour a particular tenderer. 

All the tenderers, with open eyes, participated in the process. The Tender Evaluation Committee (TEC) has given reasons for reaching the conclusion either for accepting or rejecting the tenders.” 

The petitioners had sought to quash the notification of the State government inviting tenders for preparation and supply of smart card based driving licence and registration certificate on BOOT model for 5 years, in view of the substantial delay that had been caused in evaluating the tenders. 

It violated the provisions of the TN Transparency in Tender Act, 1998 and Rules, 2000, petitioners added and prayed for a consequential direction to the government to issue a fresh one.