Jindal Saw moves Mumbai HC to stall pipe supply tender process

The Gujarat-based Jindal Saw Mills (JSML) has sought an injunction to the tendering process of Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) for water supply pipes from the Bombay High Court.

The writ petition filed by JSML would come up for hearing on February 13 before the division bench of Justice Vishwanath Palshikar and Justice Nishita Mhatre. Last month, BNMC had invited the tenders for supplying the pipes for its Rs 51.3 crore water supply project. However, a few days later BNMC issued a corrigendum and sought to change the two conditions in the contract.

JSML contented that conditions were changed at the last minute to prevent it from participating in the tendering process. Apart from BNMC, JSML has also made the state government respondent to the suit. The tenders are going be opened on February 14.

The company said the changed condition "" "supplier should produce a certificate from an executive engineer from any government or semi-government organisation that supplier has a minimum of two years' experience in supplying the pipes of the quality prescribed in the tender" "" was aimed at debarring JSML from participation.

JSML has pointed out in its suit that the company is part of the Rs 2,400-crore Jindal group, which is a known name in the iron and steel segment all over the country. Besides, JSML itself has a ISO 9001 certificate, ensuring international standard for quality product.