SC to hear airport privatisation matter on July 18
The Supreme Court on Monday fixed July 18 for hearing a petition filed by Anil Ambani Group's Reliance Airport Developers, which has challenged a Delhi High Court order upholding the government's decision to allot modernisation works of Mumbai and...
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday fixed July 18 for hearing a petition filed by Anil Ambani Group's Reliance Airport Developers, which has challenged a Delhi High Court order upholding the government's decision to allot modernisation works of Mumbai and Delhi airports to rival bidders GMR and GVK-led consortia.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal fixed the date after the parties agreed to it.
Reliance counsel Manali Singhal requested the court for an early hearing as the rival consortia were already proceeding with the construction work at the airports.
The court would look into various issues, including the allegations about lowering of standards and giving choice to the rival bidder to pick an airport for modernisation after the financial bids were opened.
Reliance had in its petition contended that the High Court had arrived at an erroneous conclusion on every contentious point.
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It also claimed that the Group of Ministers (GoM) had deviated from the process by lowering the standards and giving choice to the rivals after opening the financial bids.Reliance had filed the Special Leave Petition against the April 21 High Court verdict, which held that the government's action was in no way "discriminatory, illogical or illegal".
While upholding the technical parameters adopted in awarding the contracts, the High Court had in its order said the government and the AAI had "absolute discretion to vary the tender requirements or amend the term of RFP (Request for Proposal)" as per the requirements of the project.
Reliance has challenged the award of contracts to GMR and GVK led consortia on the ground that the government and the AAI had deliberately amended tender norms to favour the rival bidders.
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The company contended that as the highest financial bidder for Delhi airport and as the highest technical bidder for the Mumbai airport, it should have been awarded at least one of the projects.Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
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