WORLD WATCH INTERNATIONAL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ Appeal No. 250/97 is directed against the judgment and order dated 29.1.97 as passed by a learned Single Judge of this Court in Civil Rule No. 4204/96 thereby setting aside the award of contract to the appellant with a further direction to the Airport Authority of India (respondent No. 2) to negotiate afresh with the writ petitioner (respondent No 3) as well as the present appellant and explore the possibilities of attaining optimum price.

(2.) By order dated 7.5.97 status quo as regards granting of licence of CCTV as obtained on the date of order i.e. 7.5.97 was directed to be maintained and continued thereafter. This writ appeal is connected with Writ Appeal No. 251/97 which has been preferred by the Airport Authority of India against the same judgment and order dated 29.1.97 as passed by the learned Single Judge in Civil Rule No. 4204/ 96. Both these appeals were heard together and being disposed of by a common judgment Few basic facts necessary for disposal of these appeals may now be noted.

(3.) The Airport Authority of India invited sealed tenders for installation, maintenance and operation of Closed Circuit Colour TV and also for operation of PA System at Guwahati Airport on annual rental basis for three years vide notice inviting tender (NIT), Annexure-I to the writ petition. In response to the said advertisement M/s Sangita Advertising Agency and M/s World Watch International along with one Maa Kamakhya Advertising Agency submitted their tenders. It was found that Maa Kamakhya Advertising Agency was the highest bidder followed by M/s World Watch International and M/s Sangita Advertising Agency was the 3rd in order. Although Maa Kamakhya Advertising Agency was the highest bidder, but despite repeated opportunities granted it tailed to submit the required documents. M/s World Watch International, the 2nd highest tenderer was finally settled with the contract after holding negotiations. The contract was awarded vide letter dated8.8.96 (Annexure-III) issued by the Airport Authority of India who was respondent No.2 in the original writ petition and appellant in the present Writ Appeal No, 251/97. ft would thus be seen that both the respondents M/s World Watch International who has been awarded the contract and the Airport Authority of India who awarded the contract both have come in appeal against the aforesaid judgment and order dated 29.1.97 as passed by the Learned Single Judge.