Reply sought from Highways dept on tender format change

Justice V Parthiban, before whom the plea moved by S Selvendran came up, adjourned the matter to May 14 for filing of counter by the Principal Secretary, Highways and Minor Ports Department, Chief Engineer Highways Department and Superintending Engineer, Construction and Maintenance, Highways Department.

In a web hearing, petitioner’s counsel K Sridhar submitted that the government has changed the format of contract for laying State Highways and Municipal Road in the State to exclude scores of registered contractors with a view to favour few of their choice.

If the tender bid is allowed to be opened, which is likely to happen in May 2020, the rights of third parties may creep in. Based on this, he insisted the court to order status quo while the Additional Advocate General S R Rajagopal strongly opposed for grant of any interim relief as he has to obtain necessary instructions in response to the plea moved.