INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - FEBRUARY 2007
The Month that was ...

DELHI HC EXTENDS STAY ON BSNL GSM CONTRACT

The Delhi High Court extended its interim stay on award of contract by state-run BSNL for its Rs 20,000- cr project, to add 45 million lines in its GSM network till February 12. A Bench comprising Justice Swantater Kumar and Justice H R Malhotra fixed February 12 as the date for hearing Motorola's petition challenging BSNL's decision to disqualify it from the bidding process of the GSM contract. Additional solicitor general Gopal Subramanium, appearing for BSNL, suggested a solution to the stand off saying that 40% of total bidding should be cleared by the court for awarding of contract. Subramanium contended that as per the term of the contract 60% of it would go to the first lowest bidder and rest would go the second lowest bidder. In that eventuality even if Motorola succeeds in the case it would get utmost 60% of the contract, so the rest should be cleared for awarding of contract. But the same was rejected by Motorola counsel Anil Dwan.