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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF AUGUST, 2018

BEFORE
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THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE ARAVIND KUMAR

WRIT PETITION NO.5608 OF 2018 (GM-TEN)


C/W

WRIT PETITION NOS.5491 OF 2018 & 5610 OF 2018


(GM-TEN)

IN W.P.NO.5608/2018

BETWEEN

Chamundi Motors,
A Partnership firm constituted
and registered under the
Indian Partnership Act running
the business in dealership of
PIAGGIO vehicles, having
registered office at No.225/2,
near 10th BTS bus depot,
2nd main road,
Vrindavananagar,
HBR Layout,
Bengaluru – 560043.
Represented by its authorized partner,
Mr. N. Hemanth Kumar …..Petitioner

(By Sri.Ashok Harnahalli, Senior Advocate for


Sri. Nityanand V. Naik, Adv for
Sri. Prakash M. Patil Advocate)

AND

1. The Principal Secretary to


the Government of Karnataka,
2

Urban Development Department,


Vikasa Soudha,
Bengaluru– 560 001.

2. The Commissioner,
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Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike


Hudson Circle,
Bengaluru – 560 002.

3. The Special Commissioner (SWM)


Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagarpalike,
Hudson Circle,
Bengaluru – 560 002.

4. The Joint Commissioner (Health & MSW)


Office of the Joint Commissioner,
BBMP Head Office,
N.R. Square
Bengaluru – 560 002.

5. The Executive Engineer-3


Solid Waste Management,
Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike,
Office of the Executive Engineer,
Solid Waste Management-1
2nd Floor, Dasappa Hospital Premises,
N.R.Road,
Bengaluru – 560 002. ...Respondents

(By Sri.Vijaya Kumar Patil, AGA for R1


Sri. N.R. Jagadeeshwara, Adv. for R2-R5
Sri. K.N. Puttegowda, Adv. for R2-R5)

This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the


Constitution of India praying to direct 2nd respondent and
5th respondent-Corporation to permit the petitioner to
participate in the tender process by forming a consortium
with a financially sound party and having experience and
expertise in the field of collection and transportation of
Municipal Solid Waste in response to the tender
3

notification dated 04.01.2018 issued by 3rd respondent


vide Annexure-C etc.,

IN W.P.NO.5491/2018
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BETWEEN

Sri. C.R. Veeranarayana Chary


S/o Late K. Ramachary
Aged about 66 years
No.705, Sri. Veerabrahma Krupa
5th Cross, Upkar Residency Layout
Vishwaneedam Post
Bengaluru - 560 091. …..Petitioner

(By Sri. Ashok Harnahalli, Senior Advocate for


Sri. Varun T. Patil, Advocate for petitioner)

AND

1. The State of Karnataka


Represented by Principal Secretary
Urban Development Department
Vikasa Soudha
Bengaluru – 560 001.

2. The Commissioner
Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
N.R. Square
Bengaluru – 560 002.

3. The Joint Commissioner(Health and MSW)


Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
N.R. Square
Bengaluru – 560 002.

4. The Executive Engineer 3, SWM-1


Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
2nd Floor, Dasappa Hospital Premises
N.R. Square
Bengaluru – 560 002. ...Respondents
4

(By Sri. Vijaya Kumar Patil AGA for R1


Sri. N.R. Jagadeeshwara, Advocate for R2 to R4)

This Writ Petition is filed under Articles 226 and


227 of the Constitution of India praying to direct the
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respondent No.3 to extend the time to submit the bids as


per the provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in
Public Procurement Rules 2000 etc.,

IN W.P.NO.5610/2018

BETWEEN

Smt. P.Kavitha,
W/o P.Gopinatha Reddy,
Aged about 51 years,
R/o No.6, 1st B Cross,
Behind Sandhya Cinema Tent,
Old Madiwala,
Bengaluru – 560068. …..Petitioner

(By Sri.Ashok Harnahalli, Senior Advocate for


Sri. Prakash M. Patil Advocate)

AND

1. The Principal Secretary to the


Government of Karnataka,
Urban Development Department,
Vikasa Soudha,
Bengaluru – 560001.

2. The Commissioner,
Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike,
Hudson Circle,
Bengaluru – 560002.

3. The Special Commissioner (SWM)


Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike,
Hudson Circle,
Bengaluru – 560002.
5

4. The Joint Commissioner (Health & MSW)


Office of the Joint Commissioner,
BBMP Head Office,
N.R. Square,
Bengaluru – 560002.
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5. The Executive Engineer-3,


Solid Waste Management,
Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike,
Office of the Executive Engineer,
Solid Waste Management-1,
2nd Floor, Dasappa Hospital Premises,
N.R. Road,
Bengaluru – 560002. ... Respondents

(By Sri.Vijaya Kumar Patil, AGA for R1


Sri. N.R. Jagadeeshwara, Adv. for R2-R5)

This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the


Constitution of India praying to direct the 2nd respondent
corporation to permit the petitioner to participate in the
tender process by forming a consortium with the
manufacturing company or the dealer in response to the
tender notification dated 04.01.2018 issued by 3rd
respondent vide Annexure-A.

These Writ Petitions coming on for “Dictating


Judgment” this day, the Court made the following:

ORDER

As per the Government Orders dated 21.06.2016

and 12.08.2016, BBMP had resolved to purchase

auto tippers for collection of solid waste from different

wards and micro plan was prepared ward-wise to

collect the solid waste for two days in a week. For

said purpose, it was resolved to purchase 555


6

numbers of auto tipper for the financial year 2016-

2017 and 2017-2018 for a sum of Rs.1530 lakhs for

each year earmarked and as such during March


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2007, BBMP being alive of perennial problems of

Solid Waste Management was conscious of this fact

and for the reason that financial year was coming to

an end, it resolved to purchase 555 numbers of auto

tipper (4 wheeler) at a time.

2. BBMP was also of the opinion that Tata Ace

2.0 cubic meter Box Tipper-B.S 4 model is an ideal

vehicle since that was the only four wheeler vehicle as

per B.S 4 norms available. Original records would

also disclose that as on 01.03.2017, BBMP had called

upon suppliers of Tata vehicles to quote their prices

for supply of vehicle to BBMP and it was received by

email as extracted in the note sheet dated

09.03.2017. At that point of time, BBMP resolved to

bring in certain amendment to its requirements of

vehicle. Accordingly, it was resolved to purchase 555


7

vehicles at a cost of Rs.28,45,47,945/- and

evaluation charges to be paid to such agency, who

undertakes such evaluation at the rate of 0.15% +


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12.36% service tax, in all for a sum of Rs.3,49,435/-.

Thus, total cost for purchase of said vehicles was

Rs.28,48,97,380/-, was sought to be utilized from the

funds of SFC grant of Rs.30,60,00,000/- for which

approval was sought for from the appropriate

Government.

3. Said proposal being forwarded to the

appropriate Government, by communication dated

26.04.2017 from appropriate Government to BBMP,

the letter relating to latest DGS & D was called for. At

that juncture, a Technical Committee for Special

Infrastructure Grants–Solid Waste Management of

BBMP had met and discussed with regard to

technical details and specifications and accordingly,

resolved to call for the tender by specifying the

technical details and in this background, it came to


8

be resolved to call for tender for Tata Ace Cabin

Load Body B.S 4 model vehicle (4 wheeler) with

necessary modifications with regard to constructing


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the body of vehicles. It was found that four wheeler

B.S 4 vehicle i.e. Tata Ace Cabin Load vehicle is the

only vehicle which would suit the said specifications

and accordingly, BBMP intimated manufacturers of

Tata ACE Cabin Load BS4 vehicle to furnish price list

and accordingly, price list has been furnished.

According to same, the total cost of 565 numbers of

auto tipper was indicated as Rs.28,13,43,092/- and

in this background, proposal was put up for approval

of purchase of 565 auto tipper vehicles from M/s

Tata Motors Ltd., at a total cost of Rs.28,10,47,950/-

plus evaluation charges from third party agency at a

cost of Rs.2,95,142/- and permission was sought for

to utilize the sum of Rs.30,60,00,000/- received

under the grants referred herein supra subject to

other modifications with regard to body building of

the vehicle, fixing of sound system, by dispensing


9

with a period prescribed under The Karnataka

Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999 or in

other words to call for short term tender by putting


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up a note to the Assistant Executive Engineer-Solid

Waste Management and Environmental Engineer.

Same has been approved by Executive Engineer on

21.07.2017, by Chief Engineer on 26.07.2017 and

Joint Commissioner as well as Commissioner of

BBMP have also approved the same on 21.07.2017

and 26.07.2017 respectively. The said proposal has

been forwarded to the appropriate Government for its

approval by BBMP on 26.07.2017 and the

appropriate Government by its communication dated

15.09.2017 had resolved as under:-

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(Deferred)”.

4. The appropriate Government by

communication dated 06.11.2017 addressed to

Commissioner-BBMP, after referring to its earlier

communications, discussions and taking into

consideration the requirements of BBMP to purchase

auto tippers (4 wheeler) under the DGS&D rates

came to be examined and directed the Commissioner

to re-examine the issue. The direction so issued by

the appropriate Government reads as under:-

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11

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ªÀÄvÀÄÛ CUÀvÀåvÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¥ÀÄ£ÀB ¥Àj²Ã°¸ÀĪÀAvÉ vÀªÀÄUÉ w½¸À®Ä
£Á£ÀÄ ¤zÉÃð²vÀ£ÁVzÉÝãɔ.
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5. BBMP instead of taking further steps in this

matter to obtain approval from the appropriate

Government, has taken a complete detour. In other

words, it has completely ignored the directions issued

by the appropriate Government and has resolved to

tread its own path. Inspite of having referred to the

direction issued by appropriate Government dated

06.11.2017, at all places including note sheet and the

technical approval report by order dated 04.01.2018,

Chief Engineer-Solid Waste Management-I, BBMP

has passed an order giving technical approval for

release of Rs.36,40,00,000/- under the heading

“Technical Approval” for purchase of 565 numbers of

auto (4 wheeler). Pursuant to the same and in

anticipation of approval from the appropriate

Government, short term tender notice i.e. with 15

days notice, tender was called for, which note again


12

has been put up by the Assistant Executive

Engineer–Solid Waste Management, Environmental

Engineer-Solid Waste Management and approved by


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Executive Engineer, Chief Engineer, Joint

Commissioner and Commissioner of BBMP on

28.12.2017 and thereafter, tender process has been

set in motion and accordingly, the subject tender has

been called for, namely, tender notification dated

04.01.2018 Annexure-A came to be issued.

Questioning the said tender notification, petitioners

are before this Court.

6. I have heard the arguments of Sri. Ashok

Harnahalli, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the

petitioners, Sri. K.N.Puttegowda, learned counsel

appearing for respondent-BBMP and

Sri.N.R.Jagadeeshwara, learned counsel also

appearing for the respondent-BBMP and Sri. Vijaya

Kumar Patil, learned Additional Government


13

Advocate appearing for the State and perused the

original records as noticed herein above.


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7. The gist of arguments addressed by learned

Advocates appearing for the petitioners is on three

grounds:

(i) Tender Inviting Authority had already

resolved to call for tender of the vehicles

manufactured by M/s Tata Motors Ltd., only without

specifying the name.

(ii) Conditions regarding supply of vehicles by

issuing addendum specifying thereunder that the

suppliers should have satisfactorily supplied

minimum 170 numbers of four wheeler auto vehicles

similar to the type specified in the Schedule of

requirements as per tender or by incorporating to

Government Department/Local Bodies in the last

three years is an onerous condition and petitioners

and other prospective bidders though have supplied

vehicles to the contractor, who are now using the said


14

vehicles for disposal of the solid waste at BBMP, such

condition could not have been imposed on petitioners

or in other words, the condition so stipulated is


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onerous insofar as petitioners are concerned since

their vehicles being used by BBMP through the

contractors are the same vehicles being

manufactured and supplied by the petitioner in

W.P.No.5608/2018.

(iii) Yet another ground, which has been raised

by learned Senior counsel appearing for the

petitioners is that there is no compliance of Rules

17(1) and 17(2) of The Karnataka Transparency in

Public Procurements Rules, 2000 (herein after

referred to as “Rules” for the sake of brevity) and any

infraction thereof should be viewed seriously and as

such, the tender notification called for should be

quashed.

8. Per contra, Sri.K.N.Puttegowda, learned

Counsel appearing for BBMP leading arguments on


15

behalf of the respondent-BBMP has made available

the original records and would submit that insofar as

the condition imposed with regard to the bidders


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possessing the requisite capacity, capability,

experience for having supplied 170 numbers of 4

wheeler or 3 wheeler auto vehicles to Government

agency, is to ensure and to know the capability and

genuineness of the bidders and it would not be

possible for Notice Inviting Authority to ascertain

from private parties to whom the auto tippers is said

to have been supplied by petitioners and it would be

difficult to ascertain the genuineness of said supplier

or ascertain whether such vehicles was used for

similar kind of works and as such contending, if the

conditions are relaxed, it would amount to allowing

the petitioners to participate in the tender without

notifying others, who may also be intending to

participate in the changed scenario.


16

9. He would also further contend that as to the

technical details, which the Tender Inviting Authority

may fix or impose would be in the domain of such


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Tender Inviting Authority and it is not for the bidders,

who would participate in the bid to contend that

specifications mentioned there under is to be varied

or changed and experts would have gone into these

aspects while floating the tender or prior to the

floating of the tender and as such, neither the

petitioners nor similarly placed persons can dictate

terms on which Tender Inviting Authority is required

to stipulate the conditions in tender.

10. He further contends that petitioners

were aware that last date for submission of tender

was 05.02.2018, since he had participated in pre-bid

meeting wherein he did not raise any of the grounds

now urged in the present petitions including the

ground of alleged infraction of Rule 17 and he draws

the attention of the Court to the proceedings of pre-


17

bid meeting produced along with statement of

objections, which is also available in original records

which was held in response to pre-bid queries raised


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by the petitioners as per Annexure-H. He would also

further contend that since tender was through e-

procurement and last date for receiving the tender in

e-portal was 05.02.2018 at 5:00 p.m., question of

opening or permitting the petitioners to submit their

tender did not arise and as such, tender submitted

by the petitioners physically on 12.02.2018, which

was pursuant to the interim order granted on

06.02.2018 as well as on 12.02.2018 cannot be heard

to contend that their bids were also required to be

opened since similarly placed persons would be

deprived of their valuable right to participate in the

tender. Hence, he prays for rejection of the writ

petitions.

11. Insofar as contention regarding non-

compliance of Rule 17 is concerned,


18

Sri.K.N.Puttegowda, learned counsel appearing for

the respondent-BBMP has relied more heavily on the

proceedings of BBMP as recorded in the original file


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to buttress his arguments that there is no infraction

of Rule 17(2) and as such, said contention raised by

the petitioners are liable to be rejected.

12. Sri.N.R.Jagadeeshwara, learned counsel

appearing also for the respondent-BBMP in

connected matters would support the arguments

canvassed by Sri.K.N.Puttegowda, learned counsel

appearing for BBMP.

13. Sri. Vijaya Kumar Patil, learned

Additional Government Advocate appearing for the

State supports the arguments canvassed by

Sri.K.N.Puttegowda, learned counsel appearing for

BBMP and he would also add that scope of judicial

review of an administrative action is limited in the

matters of tender and this Court exercising

supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of


19

Constitution of India would not sit as an appellate

Court to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the

decision taken by the Commissioner, namely,


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Corporation, as well as the appropriate Government

in this regard and as such, question of quashing

impugned tender notification would not arise and

keeping in mind the urgency that has been expressed

by BBMP, time schedule fixed under sub-rule (1) of

Rule 17 has been dispensed with in exercise of power

vested with the authority superior to Notice Inviting

Authority under sub-rule (2) of Rule 17. Hence, he

prays for rejection of petitions.

14. Having heard learned counsel appearing

for the parties and on perusal of the records, it

requires to be noticed that in the matter of tender,

this Court would not interfere in the said process

until and unless the decision- making process is

flawed and the decision so arrived at by the tender


20

inviting authority is illegal and such decision will not

be within the scope of judicial review.


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15. This Court exercising power under

Articles 226 and 227 of Constitution of India would

not act as an appellate Court to examine the

correctness or otherwise of the decision arrived at by

Notice Inviting Authority. This Court would not

interfere with the decision taken by Notice Inviting

Authority unless it is established that such decision

is capricious, arbitrary and not being in non-

consonance with the scope of the tender. The scope of

judicial review in the matter of tender is to see

whether there has been any infirmity in the decision-

making process and even if there are any minor

irregularities, the Courts would ignore the same and

not interfere unless substantial public interest

involved or malafides would arise attributable to

Notice Inviting Authority and that would be the

primary concern of the Court. For this proposition,


21

judgment of Apex Court in the following cases can be

looked into :

1. In the case of TATA CELLULAR VS.


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UNION OF INDIA reported in AIR 1996


SC 11.

2. In the case of STERLING COMPUTERS


LIMITED VS. M/S M & N PUBLICATIONS
LTD., & OTHERS reported in AIR 1996
SC 51.

3. In the case of RAUNAQ INTERNATIONAL


LTD., VS. I.V.R CONSTRUCTION LTD.,
AND OTHERS reported in AIR 1999 SC
393.

16. Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of

JAGADISH MANDAL VS. STATE OF ORISSA AND

OTHERS reported in (2007) 14 SCC 517 has held

that limited question, which will have to be

considered in a writ petition filed by an unsuccessful

Tenderer is to find out whether the Committee has

acted unreasonably in taking decision in question. It

is further held that scope of judicial review by the


22

High Court being limited, it envisages examination of

the question whether there was any material

irregularity in the decision-making process or


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whether the decision of the Committee and

consequential rejection of the lowest tender was

irrational, unreasonable and arbitrary. It has been

held :

“26. We have referred to various reports


only to show that there exist divergent views
about the genuineness of the TD passbook. It
is wholly unnecessary to record a definite
finding on the issue whether the TD passbook
submitted by one of the tenderers towards
EMD is genuine or forged. In this case, as the
Superintendent of Post Offices informed the
Department that the postal TD passbook
produced by the fifth respondent should not
be acted upon, the Committee proceeded to
hold that his tender was “non-responsive” or
defective as it was not accompanied by a
valid EMD. In such circumstances, the limited
question that had to be considered in a writ
petition filed by the unsuccessful tenderer is
whether the Committee acted unreasonably
23

in taking such a decision. There can be no


doubt that it did not. The tender was to be
accompanied by an EMD as prescribed. If the
Postal Department which issued the TD
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passbook pledged by the fifth respondent


towards EMD, said that it should not be
acted upon, there is no question of the
Committee then holding any further enquiry
about its genuineness and holding up the
evaluation of tenders. For example if a pay
order/banker’s cheque/demand draft issued
by a bank is produced as EMD and the bank
informs that such pay order/cheque/DD
should not be acted upon, the authority
concerned is not expected to suspend the
process of evaluation and hold an enquiry in
regard to the validity of genuineness, but act
upon the information received from the bank
and treat the EMD as defective and proceed
with the evaluation of tenders on that basis.

28. The limited scope of judicial review


by the High Court envisaged examination of
the question whether there was any material
irregularity in the decision-making process or
whether the decision of the Committee and
consequential rejection of fifth respondent’s
24

tender was irrational, unreasonable or


arbitrary. The validity of the decision of the
Committee taken on the material available at
the time of consideration of tenders, cannot
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be tested with reference to a subsequent


police enquiry report submitted in the writ
proceedings. Nor can it be held that the
Committee acted arbitrarily in not accepting
the passbook, on the basis of some report
opining that the TD passbook is genuine. The
High Court was not sitting in appeal over the
decision of the Committee. The High Court
could not, therefore, by relying on a
subsequent police enquiry report, the
correctness of which is yet to be established,
hold that the Tender Committee was wrong in
rejecting the TD passbook. Further, the High
Court missed the issue. The question for
consideration was not whether the TD
passbook pledged by the fifth respondent is
genuine or not. The question for consideration
was whether the Committee acted arbitrarily
or irrationally in rejecting the said TD
passbook”.
25

17. Hon’ble Apex Court in Jagadish

Mandal’s case has further held that before interfering

in the tender or contractual matters in exercise of


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power of judicial review, the Courts should pose to

itself the following questions:

(i) Whether the process adopted or decision

made by the authority is malafide or

intended to favour someone ?

OR

Whether the process adopted or decision

made is so arbitrary and irrational that Court

can say: “the decision is such that no

responsible authority acting reasonably and in

accordance with relevant law could have

reached?;

(ii) Whether public interest is affected ?

18. If the answers are in negative, there

should be no interference under Article 226 of

Constitution of India. It has been further held in


26

Jagadish Mandal’s case above referred to that judicial

review of administrative action is intended to prevent

arbitrariness, irrationality, unreasonableness, bias


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and malafides. Its purpose is to check whether choice

or decision is made “lawfully” and not to check

whether choice or decision is “sound”. But power of

judicial review in the matters of commercial tenders,

this Court will have to keep in mind the commercial

and technical prudence, which would have gone into

the mind of decision-making authority and on the

said basis, the decision would have been relied on.

Thus, the scope of judicial review would be very

limited. The power of judicial review will not be

permitted to be invoked to protect private interest at

the cost of public interest.

19. That apart the conditions, which is to

be imposed and adherence to such condition would

be mandatory or examining as to whether the

condition imposed by the Tender Inviting Authority is


27

onerous, neigh, miserable to perform and under

what circumstances, such conditions were imposed

are also in fact within the scope of judicial review.


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Many factors would have gone into the decision-

making process as such sufficient leverage will have

to be allowed to the decision-making authority and

same will have to be kept in mind while exercising

extraordinary jurisdiction in such matters.

20. It is trite-law that non-adherence to the

tender conditions by the bidder, Notice Inviting

Authority is not required to entertain such bid.

Whether a condition is essential or collateral could be

ascertained by reference to the consequences of non

compliance thereto. As to what condition is to be

imposed by the Tender Inviting Authority, is always

left to the decision-making authority and Notice

Inviting Authority and it would be proper and safe

course to be adopted by Courts. However, it can only

be said that non-fulfillment of the requirement


28

stipulated, if it would result in rejection of the tender

or in other words, if such non-fulfillment results in

rejection of the tender, then it would necessarily form


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an essential part of the tender. This view is fortified

by the law laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court in the

case of KANHAIYA LAL AGRAWAL VS. UNION OF

INDIA AND OTHERS reported in (2002) 6 SCC 315

vide paragraph No.6.

21. Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of

PURAVANKARA PROJECTS LTD., VS. HOTEL

VENUE INTERNATIONAL AND OTHERS, reported in

(2007) 10 SCC 33 has held that tender terms are

contractual and it is the privilege of the Government

to impose such terms and conditions as it deems fit

in the circumstances, it so desires and Courts would

not have jurisdiction to judge as to how the tender

terms should be framed as it would not prove to be

expensive.
29

22. Keeping these principles in mind, when

facts on hand are examined, it would clearly disclose

that the impugned tender dated 04.01.2018


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Annexure-A was issued for supply of four(4) wheeler

auto vehicles for dry waste collection by BBMP. Last

date for uploading queries was 11.01.2018 up to 4:00

p.m. A pre-bid meeting was fixed on 16.01.2018 and

last date for receipt of tender was fixed as 29.01.2018

up to 4:00 p.m. An addendum was issued on

25.01.2018 and last date for uploading the bids was

extended upto 05.02.2018 till 4:00 p.m. Date and

time for opening technical bid was fixed on

07.02.2018 at 4:05 p.m.

23. Writ petitioner in W.P.No.5608/2018

filed writ petition on 03.02.2018 and the other two

writ petitions No.5610/2018 and 5419/2018 though

filed on 03.02.2018 and 02.02.2018 respectively were

not listed and writ petitions which came to be listed

before the Court were W.P.No.5608/2018 and


30

W.P.No.5610/2018. This Court by order dated

06.02.2018 had directed the Tender Inviting

Authority to receive the bids to be submitted by the


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petitioners by enabling e-portal and permitted said

petitioners to participate in the tender process

without prejudice to the contentions raised in writ

petitions. Said order reads as under:

“Though the learned senior counsel for


the petitioner raises the contention with
regard to minimum period of 60 days not
being adhered to keeping in view the volume
of the contract, considering the instant
petition is filed within the period as has
been extended through the addendum upto
05.02.2018 and the instant petition had
been filed on 03.02.2018, the respondents
are directed to receive the tender documents
to be submitted by the petitioner by enabling
the e-portal and the petitioner is permitted to
participate in the tender process without
prejudice to the contentions urged in this
regard.
Further learned senior counsel with
reference to the conditions contained in
31

Annexure-F – addendum relating to the


supply of vehicles made earlier would point
out that the requirement for having supplied
only to Government Department/Local
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Bodies is arbitrary and without basis.


Hence, the petitioner is permitted to submit
the documents to support the supply of such
number of vehicles in general without
restricting the supply made only
Government Department/Local Bodies, but
to any such purchasers. If such document is
produced by the petitioner and if the
respondents find it appropriate to proceed
with the evaluation without seeking for any
further clarifications from this Court, the
respondents shall take note of the document
submitted by the petitioner and evaluate the
same, also without treating the non supply
to Government Bodies/Local Bodies as a
disability or bar for consideration”.

24. However, they did not submit the tender

on 06.02.2018. The fact remains that writ petitioners

in W.P. Nos.5608/2018 and 5610/2018 did not

submit their tenders either through e-portal or by


32

physical delivery. It has been contended that despite

directions issued by this Court to BBMP to enable the

e-portal for petitioners to participate in tender


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process, it was not enabled by BBMP. The fact

remains that these two writ petitioners did not

submit their tenders in physical form at least either

on the same day or on the next day.

25. However, in W.P.No.5491/2018, when

the matter was listed before the Court on 07.02.2018,

writ petitioner therein was also extended the benefit

of order passed in W.P.Nos.5608/2018 and

5610/2018 on 06.02.2018. Order dated 07.02.2018

reads as under:

“Since in similar set of circumstance this


Court had taken note of the contention
insofar as not complying with the
requirement of providing 60 days period in
view of the volume of the contract and had
permitted the petitioners therein also to
upload their tender documents before 4.00
p.m. today i.e., 07.02.2018, the petitioner
33

herein is also granted the liberty of filing


their tender documents before 4.00 p.m.
today i.e., 07.02.2018 without prejudice to
the contentions urged in this petition. In that
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view, the respondents shall enable the E-


portal to receive the tender documents.
If the respondents choose to proceed with
the evaluation, the final decision shall not be
taken, if the respondents seek to insist upon
the tender conditions which are indicated
and which are under challenge.”

26. Said writ petition was ordered to be

listed with other two writ petitions viz.,

W.P.Nos.5608/2018 and 5610/2018. Subsequently,

on 12.02.2018, all three writ petitions were taken up

together and interlocutory application I.A.No.2/2018

filed by petitioner in W.P.No.5608/2018 seeking for a

direction to respondent – BBMP to receive the bid

alleging their attempts to upload the tender

documents had not yielded any positive results since

e-portal was not enabled and when petitioner made

an attempt to submit the same in physical form,


34

respondent did not receive. This Court keeping in

mind the order dated 06.02.2018, permitted the

petitioners to submit their bids in physical form and


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respondent No.5 – BBMP was directed to receive bid

documents that would be submitted by petitioners

with a condition that it would remain subject to

further consideration. Accordingly, BBMP is said to

have received the bid submitted by the petitioners in

W.P.No.5608/2018 and W.P.No.5491/2018.

Accordingly, the bid submitted by petitioners in

W.P.No.5608/2018 and W.P.No.5491/2018 has been

received and not opened and respondents are

awaiting further orders of this Court in the light of

order passed on 12.02.2018.

27. In the light of aforestated facts and analysis

of case law as discussed herein above, the first

contention raised by learned Senior counsel

appearing for petitioner with regard to the tender


35

conditions require to be considered for the purpose of

rejection for the reasons indicated therein below.


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28. A perusal of tender document does not

disclose or indicate even remotely a particular

company or manufacturer is being favoured or would

be the supplier of vehicle called for tender as per

specification, namely, the technical specification

specified under Section 5 under the heading ‘C.

Technical specifications’. Merely because petitioner

in W.P.No.5608/2018 is a manufacturer of a

particular type of three wheeler vehicle and as such,

it claims to have been excluded from tender process

by incorporating a specification under the technical

specification that it should be four wheeler dealer

body auto only, would not be a ground on which the

fault can be found in the tender condition. This Court

cannot loose sight of the fact that vehicle which is

sought to be procured under the tender in question is

for the purpose of disposal of solid waste in the city of


36

Bengaluru which has reached alarming proportion

and requires deft handling and urgent measures to

be adopted for disposal of such solid waste as


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otherwise it may result in outbreach of contagious

diseases. It is because of this precise reason, the

original records of BBMP - Corporation has been

perused by this Court and same would disclose that

on occasion more than one, the tender committee

consisting of experts have met, discussed and

resolved as to the specifications which the vehicle

should conform to be procured by BBMP in order to

achieve the object of disposal of solid waste. This

Court is not possessing the requisite expertise to sit

in judgment over the wisdom exercised by experts.

The presumption would be always in favour of

experts who would have applied their mind and

specified the technical details in tender document. In

the instant case, the vehicle which is sought to be

procured and the technical details which can be

briefly stated relate to number of wheels, body


37

specification, front structure, floor structure and

panel, side panel, front panel, roof covering system,

painting, stickering, mike system etc. The micro


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details with regard to these technical details would be

definitely in the domain of the experts. In the instant

case, the technical committee having applied its mind

by taking into consideration the various facets, has

resolved to specify the technical conditions and it is

these technical conditions which have been indicated

in the subject tender called for by respondent No.5

and it cannot be found or held as flawed.

29. At the cost of repetition, it requires to

be noticed that tender notification does not specify or

indicate about any particular company having been

indicated or specified. It is no doubt true, in the

original file, there is reference to Tata Motors which

would meet specified conditions. That by itself, would

not exclude other four wheeler cabin load body

vehicles from participating in the tender. As per


38

specification indicated in tender documents as to

whether it is a four wheeler vehicle which is to be

procured or three wheeler vehicle or any other


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wheeler vehicle would always be in the domain of

tender inviting authority and as such, this Court

cannot sit in judgment over the experts decision or

act as an appellate authority to examine as to

whether such decision was just and proper or right.

In that view of the matter, this Court does not find

any merit in the contention raised by learned senior

counsel appearing for petitioner and contention

raised in that regard stands rejected.

30. Insofar as second contention with

regard to the attack on additional condition imposed

under addendum at Annexure-‘F’, it would be apt and

appropriate to note the existing condition in the bid

document and the changes made in the addendum

reads as under:
39

No Sect Description as per bid Changes made to bid document


-ion document
&
Cla
use
No
the last any
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three years Government


departments
/ Local
bodies in the
last three
years.
Sec. 2. The Should have 2. The Bidders Should have
III Bidders in supplied in case of supplied
Poin case of satisfactoril Authorized satisfactorily
t Authorized y minimum representative/ minimum
B2. representative 170 no’s 4 Consortium 170 no’s 4
Exp /Consortium wheeler with wheeler or 3
erie with Auto Authorized wheeler
nce Authorized vehicles representative Auto
Crit representative similar to as lead vehicles/Aut
eria as lead the type member o Tippers
member specified in similar to the
the type specified
Schedule of in the
Requiremen Schedule of
ts as per Requirement
tender or s as per
any similar tender or any
vehicle to similar
any vehicle to any
Government Government
department Departments
s/Local / Local
bodies in bodies in the
the last last three
three years years.

31. For the simple reason that contentions

raised under point number one has been answered

against the petitioner, this issue also deserves to be

answered against petitioner. However, additional

reason which requires to be assigned for rejection of

said contention in this regard for ascertaining the


40

said addendum would be the fact BBMP, having

undertaken to dispose off the solid waste generated in

various parts of Bengaluru City, would be in a


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position to ascertain the capability and capacity of

the bidders and it is in this background under

addendum, the condition with regard to the suppliers

furnishing proof of having supplied 170 Nos. four-

wheelers or three wheelers vehicles or auto-tippers to

any government agency in the last three years, has

been incorporated in order to obtain a first hand

information. At the threshold, it requires to be

noticed that petitioners claim to have supplied similar

number of vehicles to the contractors who have now

been engaged by BBMP and as such, they are

contending any information in that regard can be

ascertained by the BBMP itself and thereby this

condition in the addendum should not be insisted,

insofar as the petitioner is concerned cannot be

accepted. The tender inviting authority cannot

undertake the exercise to search and find out as to


41

whether a particular bidder has supplied the type of

vehicle to a contractor and mere furnishing of the list

by petitioner of such supply of the vehicles to


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different contractors would not absolve the bidders to

furnish the certificate in proof of same having been

supplied and such certificate would be an essential

term of the tender. As such, this Court cannot find

fault with the tender inviting authority imposing such

condition. Hence, the second contention raised by the

learned senior counsel appearing for petitioner also

deserves to be rejected and it stands rejected.

32. Insofar as third contention with regard

to infraction of Rule 17 is concerned, it would be

necessary to extract the said Rule for immediate

reference and it reads:

“17. Minimum time for submission of


tenders. – (1) The Tender Inviting Authority
shall ensure that adequate time is provided
for the submission of tenders and a
minimum time is allowed between date of
publication of the Notice Inviting Tenders in
42

the relevant Tender Bulletin the last date


for submission of tenders. This minimum
period shall be as follows.-
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(a) for tenders upto rupees two


crores in value, thirty days; and
(b) for tenders in excess of
rupees two crores in value, sixty
days.

(2) Any reduction in the time stipulated


under sub-rule (1) has to be specifically
authorized by an authority superior to the
Tender Inviting Authority for reasons to be
recorded in writing.”

33. A bare reading of Rule 17 would clearly

indicate that tender inviting authority should ensure

that adequate time is provided to the bidders for

submission of their tender and the minimum time to

be allowed between the date of publication and notice

inviting tender while publishing the same either in

the bulletin or in the e-portal. Clause (a) of sub-

rule(1) of Rule 17 would prescribe 30 days as the

minimum time for tenders value up to two crores and


43

tenders in excess of two crores, the time prescribed is

60 days. However, sub-rule (2) enables the authority

superior to the tender inviting authority to reduce the


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time stipulated under sub-rule (1) and while

undertaking such an exercise, the tender inviting

authority has to record reasons in writing. Sub-rule

(2) of Rule 17 does not indicate that reasons by the

superior authority should be elaborate. In other

words, if the order or the noting in the file would

disclose that there is due application of mind by the

superior authority for reducing the time stipulated

under sub-rule (1), it would meet the test prescribed

under sub-rule (2). Thus, there cannot be any

straight jacket formula prescribed for the manner in

which the reasons are to be recorded by the superior

authority to reduce the time prescribed under sub-

rule (1) of Rule 17. There might be complex situations

and myriad circumstances under which the superior

authority exercise the power for reducing the time. By


44

way of illustrations, the following examples can

illuminate as to why such direction has been given:


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Illustrations:

(a) In case, a water channel being required to be

built on emergent basis due to floods or excessive rise

of water where the life and property are at stake, the

superior authority in such circumstances, though the

value of tender is more than what is prescribed under

(a) and (b) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 17, can exercise the

power to reduce the prescribed time.

(b) Whereas an electric transformer gets burnt

down due to nature out burst either at a hospital,

Railway Station or any public place is located, it may

require urgent attention and in such circumstances,

where the value of such procurement being more

than the value prescribed under (a) and (b) of sub-

rule (1) of Rule 17, the superior authority would be

empowered to reduce the time prescribed under sub-

rule (1) in exercise of its power under sub-rule (2) by


45

recording the reasons in brief. In such

circumstances, the decision so arrived at by the

superior authority cannot be found fault with.


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34. Keeping the aforestated illustrations in

mind, when facts on hand are examined, as noticed

herein above, records would disclose that saga of

inviting the subject tender relates back to the year

2016. As noticed herein above, the Government order

dated 12.08.2016 and 03.11.2016, would disclose

that a sum of Rs.30.60 crores was ear-marked for

purchase of auto-tipper (four-wheeler) for the purpose

of disposal of solid waste, namely, 600 auto-tippers.

Since there was a scheme for implementing the solid

waste management between BBMP and Social

Welfare/NGO organizations in the ratio of 75:25, the

BBMP was required to procure 555 vehicles for

disposal of solid waste in the city of Bengaluru. In

this regard, a proposal was put-up way back in the

year 2016 for purchase of said vehicles in the


46

financial year 2016-17 and 2017-18 for a sum of

Rs.1530 lakhs in each year, by ear-marking the said

amount to be utilized for the purpose of purchase of


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555 vehicles. Though the proposal has been put-up

and on 09.03.2017, there was no indication with

regard to floating of the tender since it was resolved

to purchase the said vehicle from a single window

agency, same was not accepted by the appropriate

Government and in this regard, the Principal

Secretary, Urban Development Department by

communication dated 26.04.2017, called upon the

Commissioner, BBMP to submit a fresh proposal and

it is thereafter, a fresh proposal came to be put-up

and it was resolved to procure the said auto-tipper

vehicles at a cost of Rs.28.13 crores and for the first

time, a note was put up by the Assistant Executive

Engineer, Solid waste Management and

Environmental Engineer of BBMP to call for short

term tender. The note relating to the same has been

perused by this Court by scrutinizing the original file


47

and reason/noting at paragraphs 10 to 15 when read

meticulously together, it does not disclose as to the

reason that has been assigned for reducing the time.


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Infact first respondent herein by communication

dated 19.08.2017 addressed to Commissioner –

BBMP has passed following query amongst other

queries and it reads:

1 xxxx
2 xxxx
3 xxxx
4 xxxx

5. mÉAqÀgï PÀgz
É g
À É PÀrªÉÄ zÀgz
À °
À è ¹UÀĪÀ ¸ÁzsÀåvÉ §UÉÎ
AiÉÆÃa¸À¯ÁVzÉAiÉÄÃ?

35. Whether chances of getting vehicles in

question for a lesser price is there, if tender is called

for?

36. By reply dated 11.09.2017, second

respondent has intimated first respondent that it was

already resolved by technical committee to purchase

vehicles by quotation and four (4) persons have

quoted the prices of vehicles and for outer-model,


48

tender would be called for. No direct answer is given

to the query raised by first respondent. Infact, at

paragraph No.15(4) of the noting while seeking


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approval of letter being forwarded to first respondent,

officers of second respondent have stated to the

following effect:

“4. EvÀgÃÉ CUÀvÀå ªÀiÁ¥ÁðqÀÄUÀ½UÉ (¨Ár/gÀZ£


À ÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß
¤«Äð¸À®Ä, zsÀé¤ ªÀzsð
À PÀ ªÀ媸
À ÉÜ ºÁUÀÆ ¹ÖPÀjAUï
PÁAiÀÄð) ªÀiÁvÀæ C¯Áઢ
À ü mÉAqÀgï PÀgAÉ iÀÄ®Ä
C£ÀĪÉÆÃzÀ£.É ”

37. When this proposal was sent to the

appropriate government, it was not approved or in

other words, by communication dated 15.09.2017,

the Principal Secretary addressed a letter to the

Commissioner BBMP that issue had been placed

before expert committee which examined this issue

and it was resolved to issue a direction to the

Commissioner to refer the same to the technical

committee of BBMP and to furnish details with regard

to purchase of the said vehicles under The Karnataka


49

Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999. The

resolution of expert committee has been extracted by

the Principal Secretary, Urban Development


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Department in the said communication dated

15.09.2017 and it reads as under:

¤tðAiÀÄ: “DAiÀÄÄPÀÛgÀÄ, ©.©.JA.¦. gÀªg


À À ¥À¸
æ ÁÛª£
À AÉ iÀÄ §UÉÎ
C¢üPÁgÀAiÀÄÄPÀÛ ¸À«Äw ¸À¨AsÉ iÀÄ°è PÀÆ®APÀĵÀªÁV
ZÀað¹ CAwªÀĪÁV PÉ.n.¦.¦. PÁAiÉÄÝAiÀÄ
»£É߯ÉAiÀÄ°è 565 DmÉÆà n¥ÀàgïUÀ¼À CªÀ±ÀåPÀv,É
DmÉÆà n¥ÀàgïUÀ¼À ¤ªÀðºÀuÉ ºÁUÀÆ ¸ÀPÁðgÀªÀÅ
PÉÆÃjgÀĪÀ E¤ßvÀgÉ ªÀiÁ»wUÀ¼À §UÉÎ WÀ£vÀ Áådå
¤ªÀðºÀuAÉ iÀÄ dAn DAiÀÄÄPÀÛgÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ ªÀÄÄRå
C©üAiÀÄAvÀgg
À ÀÄ ¥ÀÆt𠫪ÀgU
À ¼
À ÉÆA¢UÉ ªÀÄÄA¢£À
C¢üPÁgÀAiÀÄÄPÀÛ ¸À«Äw ¸À¨AsÉ iÀÄ°è «µÀAiÀĪÀ£ÀÄß
ªÀÄAr¸À®Ä ©.©.JA.¦.UÉ ¸ÀÆa¹ «µÀAiÀĪÀ£ÀÄß
ªÀÄÄAzÀÆqÀ¯Á¬ÄvÀÄ (Deffered)”.

38. On receipt of said communication, office

of respondent No.2 has put a note for approval to call

for short term tender i.e., 15 days vide paragraphs 25

to 28 of note sheet and it reads:


50

“3 . WÀ£À ¸ÀPÁðgÀªÀÅ 2016-17 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 2017-18£ÉÃ


¸Á°UÉ ¥Á°PÉAiÀÄ WÀ£vÀ Áådå ¤ªÀðºÀuU
É ÁV MzÀV¹gÀĪÀ
C£ÀÄzÁ£Àª£
À ÀÄß ªÀiÁZïð-2018 gÉƼÀUÉ ¸ÀzÀâ¼PÀ É
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ªÀiÁrPÉƼÀî¨ÃÉ PÁVgÀĪÀÅzÀjAzÀ ¸ÀPÁðgÀzÀ DqÀ½vÁvÀäPÀ


C£ÀĪÉÆÃzÀ£É ¤jÃQë¹ 15 ¢£ÀU¼
À À ¥ÀZ
æ ÁgÀ CªÀ¢ü ¤Ãr
C¯Áઢ
À ü mÉAqÀgï DºÁ餸À®Ä C£ÀĪÉÆÃzÀ£.É ”

39. Above note has been approved by

Superintendent Engineer, Chief Engineer and Joint

Commissioner and Commissioner on 28.12.2017.

Though, approval to call for short term tender was to

be accorded by Government, same has not been

obtained.

40. In this background, the purported

approval of superior authority to call for short-term

tender by Notice Inviting Authority namely, the

Executive engineer, Superintendent engineer, Joint

Commissioner and Commissioner would recede to the

background. Even otherwise, as already discussed

herein above, reasons for reduction of time need not


51

be elaborate or detailed reason is required to be given

by superior authority. Even reasons recorded in brief

for reduction of time would suffice as noticed herein


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above. The notice inviting authority may in certain

circumstances explain the reasons in the note sheet

giving elaborate reasons or reasons in brief as to

what is the necessity for calling for a short-term

tender or in other words, as to why the time

prescribed under sub-rule (1) of Rule 17 is to be

reduced by the superior authority. If such reasons

are assigned in the note put-up by the Notice Inviting

Authority for being approved by the superior

authority and in such circumstances, if the superior

authority exercise the power and approves such note

though not with elaborate reasons, it would definitely

meet the criteria prescribed under sub-rule (2) of

Rule 17. However, in the instant case as noticed

herein above, neither the note put-up by the Notice

Inviting Authority nor the approval by superior

authority to the Notice Inviting Authority would


52

disclose such exercise having been undertaken. In

fact, the reason assigned in paragraph No.15(4)

calling for short term tender, if perused, the only


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irresistible conclusion which can be drawn is, it is no

reason at all inasmuch as it is stated for purpose of

specifying the technical details with regard to body

building of the vehicle, fixing of sound system and

skickering work, tender is to be called for by way of

short term and not for purchase of the vehicles in

question at all. That apart, the superior authority

which has approved the note of Notice Inviting

Authority is for approving the project. In fact, that is

to call for procurement of the vehicles for being used

in disposal of solid waste management. There is no

reason whatsoever forthcoming from the file, either

the Notice Inviting Authority having specified the

reasons or assigned the reasons for calling for short-

term tender or the superior authority having applied

its mind to reduce the time. The exception cannot

become a rule. The superior authority has no doubt


53

power to reduce the time. There should be application

of mind for reduction of time. The expression

“application of mind” and “reasons to be assigned”


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may vary from case to case and would also take its

colour and texture depending upon the terrain in

which the circumstances may travel or arise.

41. In the instant case, as noticed herein

above, neither such application of mind can be

discerned from the note sheet nor from the order by

superior authority. In fact, it would be apt and

appropriate to note, at this juncture itself, that

communication from the Principal Secretary, Urban

Development Department to BBMP dated 06.11.2017,

BBMP has been called upon to furnish a fresh

proposal with regard to calling for short-term tender

and its necessity. However, the records would

disclose neither the appropriate Government having

been informed of the further steps taken by the

BBMP nor a fresh proposal having been forwarded to


54

the appropriate Government by BBMP as directed

under communication dated 06.11.2017 as noticed

herein above. Infact BBMP has taken a completely


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different route by referring the same to the technical

committee and by order dated 04.01.2018 passed by

the Chief Engineer, it has resolved to purchase

565 Nos. four-wheeler vehicle. Though there is a

reference to a direction issued by the appropriate

Government under the letter dated 06.11.2017

(which has been wrongly and erroneously referred to

as 06.11.2015, in the note sheet which may also be a

typographical error), the fact remains that there was

a direction issued by the appropriate Government on

06.11.2017 to BBMP to re-submit a proposal

including the reasons for calling short-term tender.

No steps having been taken pursuant to it, the order

dated 04.01.2018, passed by Chief Engineer who

undisputedly is the superior authority to the Notice

Inviting Authority, would also not find a whisper or a

reference for the reason to reduce the time prescribed


55

under sub-rule (1) of Rule 17, namely, as to why he

was exercising the power under sub-rule (2) of Rule

17 to dispense with the prescribed time or as to why


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the time is to be reduced.

42. For these reasons, the subject tender or

the impugned tender notification called for by

reducing the time is clearly arbitrary and whimsical

and there is total non-application of mind and second

respondent and its officers have acted contrary to the

directions issued by the appropriate Government as

could be seen from the original records. Hence,

tender notification cannot be sustained. The

consequential question which would arise is as to

whether the existing contractors are to be allowed to

be continued or not. However, the said issue not

being in the domain of this Court, only an

observation can be made by permitting BBMP to take

such steps as it deems fit in the circumstances of the

case and no opinion is expressed in that regard and


56

at the cost of repetition, it is made clear that

Commissioner-BBMP would be at liberty to take

appropriate decision to meet the exigencies that may


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arise in the solid waste management.

43. Hence, the following order:

(i) Writ Petitions are hereby allowed in


part subject to observations made
herein above.

(ii) Tender notification No.EE3/SWM-


1/TEND/03/2017-18 at Anenxure-‘C’
in W.P.No.5608/2018; Annexure-‘A’
in W.P.No.5610/2018 and
Annexure-‘A’ in W.P.No.5491/2018 is
hereby quashed.

(iii) Second respondent – Commissioner –


BBMP and/or competent officer
would be at liberty to call for fresh
tender in accordance with The
Karnataka Transparency in Public
Procurements Act, 1999 and
Karnataka Transparency in Public
Procurements Rules, 2000.
57

Ordered accordingly.

All pending applications stands consigned to


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records.

SD/-
JUDGE

PYR/dn

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