CHANDER MOHAN Vs. AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) . The present petition is directed against respondents I and 2 for quashing the contract which the said respondents have allegedly entered into with respondent No.4 for display of Glow Signs and Hoardings in Departure Hall, Jaipur Airport, Jaipur without following the prescribed and established tendering procedure.

(2.) . The petitioner is the sole proprietor of Chand Associates, a proprietory concern carrying on the business of putting advertisement hoardings and other allied hoardings and has been carrying on the said business in major cities of India. It is further alleged that the petitioner has been getting awards from various Government, public sector and private sector organisations for displaying their advertisement hoardings and to put up glow signs for last more than 5 years. Respondent No.1 is a body constituted under the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994 and is responsible for running and managing the airports situated in the country. Respondent No.2 is the person incharge looking after the matters of respondent No.l in the Delhi region. Respondents 3 and 4 are also engaged in business similar to that of the petitioner. It is further alleged that respondent No.l by virtue of powers vested in its favour under the above said Act, issues all licences, permits, quotas and exemptions for better management and running of the airports and also invites tenders/offers from eligible contractors for providing such services or facilities, as may be required.

(3.) . The procedure adopted by respondent No.l to award contracts to eligible contractors, as stated in paragraph 7 of the petition is (a) to issue public notices in newspapers and/or relevant trade magazines or by displaying the tender notice on the Notice Boards art the relevant airports thereby inviting the eligible contractors to participate in such tenders by quoting their rates; (b) to short list the best eligible parties and to award the contract or to negotiate further and thereafter award the contract to one such party who fulfills the requirements of respondent No.1.