Date:28/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/28/stories/2007092858510100.htm

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BMIC: State restrained from inviting global bids

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained the Karnataka Government from proceeding further with the notification of September 17 inviting global bids from companies or consortiums for development of the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) on the Swiss Challenge Method.

A three-judge Bench comprising Justice B.N. Agrawal, Justice P.P. Naolekar and Justice D.K. Jain passed the order on a writ petition filed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) which is executing the project.

The Bench, in its brief order, issued notice to the State of Karnataka returnable in two weeks and rejoinder, if any, two weeks thereafter. “Until further orders, no action whatsoever shall be taken pursuant to the notification dated September 17 issued by the State of Karnataka and the advertisement issued pursuant thereto. Place the matter after four weeks,” the Bench said.

Challenging the notification, NICE submitted in its writ petition that the State Cabinet’s decision to review the project and invite global bids without cancelling the agreement with NICE was most unfortunate and disturbing for a democratic society governed by the rule of law.