LAWS(GAU)-2024-1-62

KARNATAKA AGRO CHEMICALS Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

Decided On January 11, 2024
Karnataka Agro Chemicals Appellant
V/S
STATE OF ASSAM Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both the writ petitions being analogous and pertaining to the same subject have been heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment and order. The petitioners in these two cases have challenged the action of the respondent authorities in cancelling a tender process. Such tender process was for supply of fertilizers. The petitioners, amongst various grounds have submitted that such action is arbitrary and unreasonable and also in violation of the statutes holding the field.

(2.) Before going to the issue which has arisen for adjudication, the facts pleaded by the parties may be narrated in brief.

(3.) The Directorate of Agriculture had issued a tender notice dtd. 19/9/2022, inviting bids from eligible bidders for supply of various natures of fertilizers for the year 2022-2023.The petitioners being interested with the aforesaid tender process had participated in the said process. It has been specifically pleaded that the bid documents were released on 20/9/2022, which was followed by a pre-bid meeting held on 26/9/2022 and the last date of submission of bids was 14/10/2022. The authorities had thereafter issued a corrigendum dtd. 29/9/2022, whereby the last date was extended upto 20/10/2022. The same was followed by further corrigenda whereby there were further extensions of the last date which was ultimately fixed on 4/11/2022. The bids were to be opened on 5/11/2022.