Summary
The Court directed Manipur to replace prolonged interim arrangements for transporting nutrition supplies with a nationwide, transparent electronic tender. The State’s failure to invite fresh bids despite the High Court’s directions and continued reliance on old rates were strongly deprecated. Fresh notice was required within ten days, with completion within six weeks of its issue. To protect beneficiaries, the existing transportation arrangement was continued only until 31 December 2021.
Issues
- What directions were required after prolonged failure to complete fresh tendering for transport under the nutrition programme.
Held
- The State could not indefinitely continue transportation contracts solely through interim arrangements without fresh tendering or finalization of the tender process. Its vague reliance on administrative difficulties did not justify non-compliance with the High Court’s directions. (¶¶ 4, 5)
- The State and concerned department were directed to issue a fresh nationwide notice within ten days for a fair and transparent electronic tender, guard against contractor cartelization and protect the public exchequer. The process had to finish within six weeks from issuance of the electronic tender. (¶ 6)
- To avoid inconvenience to beneficiaries in the peculiar circumstances, the existing transportation arrangements were continued until 31 December 2021. Manipur was required to submit a compliance report to the Court, and further non-compliance would be viewed seriously. (¶ 6)
Result
Appeal disposed of with directions for fresh nationwide electronic tender within ten days, completion within six weeks of issue, interim transportation only until 31 December 2021, and submission of a compliance report; pending applications disposed of.