In a setback to L&T, the Delhi High Court today refused its plea to stay the bidding process by state-owned NTPC, after the infrastructure major was disqualified from the Rs 25,000 crore power equipment tender.
"We are not inclined to pass any interim relief in favour of L&T," the Delhi High Court said.
It also refused to intervene in the bidding process which would proceed as usual. "We are not inclined to intervene in bidding process," the court said.
L&T had dragged NTPC to the court after it disqualified L&T Power's bid in the Rs 25,000 crore bulk tender citing technical irregularities.
NTPC had issued tender for bulk ordering of supercritical power equipment for 7,200 MW projects, with a pre-condition that the bidder should have manufacturing facility in India in order to promote domestic companies.
L&T Power was disqualified by NTPC for supplying boilers and turbines on the ground that the technology collaboration agreement for equipments was between its parent (L&T) and Mitsubishi Industries Ltd, and not directly with L&T Power. itself.
NTPC said it had to scrap the tender and call for fresh bids after L&T Power's disqualification because BHEL was the sole bidder left for the project.