HIMACHAL TECHNO ENGINEERS Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The facts involved in the present writ petition are in a narrow compass. A notice inviting tender (Annexure P-1) was issued by respondent No. 4 for the construction of a new 100 bed Civil Hospital at Sandhol, Tehsil Dharampur, District Mandi, H.P., which was published on 06.03.2020, in terms of which, submission of bids was to start from 07.03.2020 and end on 16.03.2020. As only one bidder responded to the said notice inviting tender, i.e. the present petitioner, the process was not taken to its logical conclusion for this reason that only one bidder has participated in the process.

(2.) This was followed by issuance of another notice inviting tender which was so issued on 25.03.2020 (Annexure P-3). Online submission of bid start date was 29.03.2020 and end date was 03.04.2020. Record demonstrates that on account of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, this notice inviting tender could not be taken to its logical conclusion.

(3.) Thereafter, another tender was floated by respondent No. 3 dated 30.04.2020 (Annexure P-4), in terms of which, the bids submission start date was 30.04.2020 and bid submission end date was 5th May, 2020. The financial bid was was stated to be opened on 08.05.2020.