Amaravati, December 25: A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Cheemalapati Ravi heard arguments in a public interest litigation filed by advocate Kaniti Deepak. The PIL seeks to cancel the tender notification issued in November 2024 and subsequent purchase orders for laying underground electricity cables in Amaravati's capital region.
The petitioner alleged that tender conditions were designed to benefit select firms. They claimed only six companies nationwide hold the required experience for such work, yet BSR Infratech, lacking direct expertise, was awarded the contract as the lowest bidder and subcontracted cable-laying to Universal Cables Limited. Four separate tenders allegedly went to one entity, resulting in substantial loss to public funds.
The state, represented by Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas, countered that three firms bid, with BSR Infratech qualifying as the lowest (L1) bidder. Rules allow qualified subcontractors like Universal Cables, which has proven experience. The government argued the petitioner delayed challenging the tender by nearly a year and suppressed key facts.
The bench questioned the timing of the challenge and noted no apparent issue in awarding to the lowest qualified bidder. It reserved judgment, promising a detailed order soon.
