Sterling And Wilson Private ... vs Union Of India And 3 Ors
2017 Latest Caselaw 4971 Bom

 Shridhar Sutar                            1                        wp(L)-1261.17.doc


              IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                  ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION

                   WRIT PETITION (L) NO. 1261 OF 2017
                                 WITH
                  NOTICE OF MOTION (L) NO. 288 OF 2017

 1.          Sterling and Wilson Private Limited
             Having their registered office at
             9th Floor, Universal Majestic,
             Gautam Nagar, P.L. Lokhande Marg,
             Ghatkopar Mankhurd Link Road,
             Chembur (W), Mumbai-400 043.
 2.          Zarine Yazdi Daruvala, Indian citizen,
             Shareholder of Petitioner No.1 having her
             Office address at 9th Floor, Universal Majestic
             Gautam nagar, P.L. Lokhande Marg,
             Ghatkopar Mankhurd Link road,
             Chembur (W), Mumbai-400 043.              ... PETITIONERS
                  VERSUS
 1.          Union of India represented by the
             Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium 
             Enterprises
 2.          Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
             Having its registered office at
             16th Floor, Centre-1, World Trade Centre
             Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai - 400 005.
 3.          Technico India Private Limited
             Having its registered address at
             3, B.B. Ganguly Street, Kolkata,
             West Bengal - 700 012.
 4.          Development Commissioner,
             Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
             Having its office address at
             'A' Wing, 7th Floor, Nirman Bhavan
             New Delhi - 110 108.                        ... RESPONDENTS

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                                 .....
 Mr. J.P. Sen, Senior Advocate, Mr. Mohi Arora, Mr. Akshay Doictor 
 i/b. M/s. Desai & Diwanji for Petitioners/Applicants.
 Mr. Aseem Naphade a/w. Mr. Arsh Misra, Mr. Nehal Shetty i/b. 
 M.V. Kini & Co. for Respondent No.2.
 Mr. Kumarjit Das a/w. Amit Kumar Muhuri i/b. Vivek V. Phadke, 
 Advocate for Respondent No.3.
                                 .....


                           CORAM   : ANOOP V. MOHTA AND
                                     SMT. ANUJA PRABHUDESSAI, JJ.

                  RESERVED ON  : 17th JULY, 2017

                  PRONOUNCED ON : 25th JULY, 2017


 JUDGMENT  (Per Anoop V. Mohta, J)

1. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard finally

by consent of all the parties in view of the urgency, so expressed.

2. Petitioners being an Engineering Procurement and

Construction ("EPC") Contractor for designing, installation and

service of fire-fighting and detection systems have challenged the

action of Respondent No.2 - a Public Sector Undertakings ("PSU"),

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited ("NPCIL"), who

carries on the business of designing, constructing, commissioning

and operating nuclear and atomic power plans and nuclear power

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reactors and who awarded the contract to Respondent No.3 -

Technico India Private Limited ("TIPL") which is a company/an

enterprise registered under the Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises Development Act, 2006 ("Micro Act"), which carries

on the business of manufacturing of parts for manufacturing fire-

fighting and fire protection equipment.

3. The basic backgrounds :-

On 26th March, 2012, Public Procurement Policy for

Micro and Small Enterprises Order, 2012 (The Policy), published

in Official Gazette. Section 6 of the Policy provides that a L-2 MSE

bidder will be entitled to match L-1 price bid by a non-MSE bidder

and shall be allowed to supply up to 20% of the total tendered

value. On 1st April, 2015, the policy issued by Respondent No.4, is

brought into force.

4. Respondent No.3 is registered with the National Small

Industries Corporation ("NSIC") as a MSE (the enterprise). The

NSIC Registration has been issued only in respect of Fabricated

Hose Cabinet, Y-Strainer, basket Strainer, MS Tank (air vessel),

Fabricated MC Point, Nozzle, Deluge Value and Fabricated piping

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ring for water spray system, under the Fire Fighting System

category.

5. Respondent No.2, on 19th October, 2016, floats Tender

bearing number CMM/HMP/23-70-10-087 for fire-fighting and

detection system for its two plants.

6. On 17th February, 2017, a letter issued by Respondent

No.2 to Petitioner No.1 informing it that the Petitioner was

technically complete and qualified for the opening of the price bid

of the Tender.

7. Office Memorandum and Frequently Asked Questions

("FAQs") annexed thereto prepared and circulated on 24 th October,

2016 by Respondent No.4 to the Ministries/Departments/PSUs for

effecting implementation of the Policy.

8. Price bids in respect of the Tender were opened on

22nd February, 2017 and Petitioner declared as L1 (i.e. the lowest

bidder) with a price bid of Rs. 21,81,45,011/- and Respondent

No.3 was declared as L2 with a substantially higher price bid of

Rs. 23,19,75,000/-.

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9. On 2nd March, 2017 / 25th March, 2017, Petitioner

addressed a letter to Respondent No.2, inter alia acknowledging

that it had been found to be technically compliant and had also

been declared as the lowest bidder (i.e. L-1), and requested

Respondent No.2 to issue Letter of intent to the Petitioner.

10. On 18th April, 2017, letter addressed by Respondent

No.2 to Petitioner No.1 inter alia conveying to Petitioner No.1 that

Respondent No.3, being a purported MSME, had agreed to match

Petitioner No.1's L-1 price for the Tender and on account of these

facts, Respondent No.3 intended to award the Tender to

Respondent No.2.

11. On 29th April, 2017, in response to the aforementioned

letter dated 18th April, 2017, the Petitioner, through its advocate

addressed a letter informing Respondent No.2 that in the case of

M/s.Shree Gee Enterprise Vs. Union of India and Anr. (Writ

Petition (C)No.7201 of 2015 filed before the Hon'ble Delhi High

Court) the Counsel appearing for Respondent No.1 admitted that

the Policy did not apply to tenders that are in the nature of works

contracts.

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The nature of work - work contract or sale of goods :

12. The NPCI invited the tender of following nature.

"On or about 19th October 2016, Respondent No.2 floated a Tender bearing number CMM/HMP/23-70-10-087 for Design and Engineering, Manufacture, Procurement, Supply, seismic qualification/testing, Inspection, examination, testing, Erection, Commissioning, performance guarantee (PG), handing over of Fire water spray system including piping, flanges, manual values, NPCIL approved HILTI make anchor fasteners, electrically operated values (EV), deluge valves assemblies (DV) including its control and instrumentation with fire detectors, Jbs, LCP etc and other specialities, supports, mandatory spares and special tools and tackles, if any, for medium velocity water spray system (MVWS) and Multiple Control Zonal Spray system (MCZs) beyond terminal point, for spray system for its two plants i.e. KAPP-3 & 4 and RAPP - 7 & 8 ("Tender")".

There is no issue that above contract is unsplitable and

undividable. It is composite contract.

13. On the petition, this Court, on 7th June, 2017 after

hearing the parties ordered Respondent No.2 to postpone issuance

of work order till the disposal of this matter. The interim order has

been in force till this date.

The legal provision and the contention:

14. The definition of 'enterprise' of the Micro Act is

reproduced as under:

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"2 (e) "enterprise" means an industrial undertaking or a business concern or any other establishment, by whatever name called, engaged in the manufacture or production of goods, in any manner, pertaining to any industry specified in the First Schedule to the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 (65 of 1951) or engaged in providing or rendering of any service or services".

15. The relevant section 11 is also reproduced as under :

"11. Procurement preference policy - For facilitating promotion and development of micro and small enterprises, the Central Government or the State Government may, by order notify from time to time, preference policies in respect of procurement of goods and services, produced and provided by micro and small enterprises, by its Ministries or departments, as the case may be, or its aided institutions and public sector enterprises".

16. The Counsel appearing for the parties raised and

referred the tender conditions (General Conditions of Engineering,

Procurement and Construction Contracts ("GCC"). The tender

condition also reflects on sales tax, value added tax and other

local tax including works contract tax-deduction of sources. The

reference is also made to Clause 15.5 in support of their auction

that as per new procurement policy, in case tendered items are

non splitable or non-divisible, MSE quoting Price within the Price-

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band of "L-1" Price (Other than MSE) + 15% may be awarded for

full/complete value of supplies, subject to matching of the L-1

Price.

17. The learned Counsel appearing for the respondents in

support of the award tendered to Respondent No.3 has strongly

relied upon the policy and the memorandum so issued from time

to time by respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 4 and contended that their

action is well within the purview of the policy in expect of

procurement of goods and services. Specifically Clauses 3, 6, 14

and 16. It is contended in view of Clause 16, the office

memorandum and the clarification so issued from time to time

including frequently asked questions (FAQs), they have awarded

the contract as there was no bar to award such contract, though it

was unsplittable and undividable. Subsequent memorandums

were also relied upon apart from the Supreme Court judgments on

law of tenders. The office memorandum dated 12th February,

2015, 2nd November, 2015, 9th November, 2016 and press releases

from time to time. As we are not dealing with the procurement of

goods and recorded services which are incidental and

consequential to supply of such goods, such as, transportation,

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insurance, installation, commissioning and maintenance. The

concept of goods "service" is well recognised. The "subject matter

of procurement firm" means any item of procurement wherein the

form of goods, services or works or a combination thereof as

referred to in office memorandum dated 9th November, 2016 is

also no issue. The judgments so cited by the learned Counsel

appearing for respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 4 which are settled law on

tender and the scope of judicial review in such matter. We are

proceeding further by keeping in mind the settled law :-

(1) (2007)1 SCC 477 - Rajasthan Housing Board and Another Vs. G. S. Investments and Another.

"10. .........

"11. The Principles which have to be applied in judicial review of administrative decisions, especially those relating to acceptance of tender and award of contract, have been considered in great detail by a three Judge Bench in Tata Cellular v. Union of India. It was observed that the principles of judicial review would apply to the exercise of contractual powers by government bodies in order to prevent arbitrariness or favouritism. ...."

(2) Supreme Court Civil Appeal No. 10143 of 2016 (SLP(C) No. 29297 of 2016) - Montecarlo Ltd. Vs. NTPC Ltd.

"24. .......But, that does not mean, these tenders will escape scrutiny of judicial review. Exercise of

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power of judicial review would be called for if the approach is arbitrary or malafide or procedure adopted is meant to favour one. ....."

(3) Supreme Court Civil Appeal No. 9078 of 2016 - Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. Vs. Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Ltd and another.

"13. In other words, a mere disagreement with the decision making process or the decision of the administrative authority is no reason for a constitutional Court to interfere. The threshold of mala fides, intention to favour someone or arbitrariness, irrationality or perversity must be met before the constitutional Court interferes with the decision making process or the decision."

18. Learned Counsel appearing for Respondent No.3

supported those judgments and contentions, and additionally,

admitted that they are manufacturers of limited items, but other

items are procured from the market and thereby submitted that

their composite tender as per the requirement.

19. Respondent No.2 has strongly relied on the judgment

of Delhi High Court in the case of State Bank of India Vs. Airport

Authority of India and others in C.W.No. 7538 & C.M. 11614 of

2000 and 214 of 2001 decided on 22nd January, 2002.

Specifically in paragraph 19, same is also relied by Respondent

No.3, which is reproduced as under.

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"19. Mr. T.R. Andhiyarjuna, Senior Counsel for the respondent No.2, opposed the writ petition on the ground that the party which participates in the tender and take its chance and then fails in the tender, cannot be permitted to challenge the terms and conditions of the tender. He submitted that petitioner could not approbate or reprobate. The challenge to Condition No.4 as being arbitrary was an after thought. The bidder, which participates in the tender was bound by the terms of the tender and the Court should not encourage a subsequent challenge on grounds of hardship in complying with a tender term. He placed reliance of India Thermal Power Ltd. V. State of M.P.(2000) 3 SCC 379".

20. A submission is also made by learned Counsel

appearing for Respondent No.2 that the judgment is of concession,

cannot be fulfilled as binding procedure referring to the order

passed by the Division Bench (supra). The reliance is also placed

by learned Counsel appearing for Respondent No.2 that a Division

Bench of Pubjab and Haryana High Court in Central Institute of

Plastics Engineering & Technology Vs. Indian Oil Corporation

Limited in Civil Writ Petition No. 8697 of 2015 (2015 SCC

OnLine P&H 4276) has also accepted the contention so raised by

Respondent No.2 herein by referring to Clause 16 which reads as

under.

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"16. Even otherwise, the petitioner had responded to the Notice Inviting Tender dated 30.12.2014 and as such, was bound by the terms and conditions contained therein. The purchase as also the price preference in favour of a Micro and Small Enterprise stood enumerated therein. Having participated in the tender process and having remained unsuccessful, it would not be open for the petitioner to now turn around and raise a challenge to any of the terms and conditions contained in the Notice Inviting Tender".

21. The learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioners has

strongly relied upon the provisions of the act and referred the

terms and conditions of the contract and clauses of policy

including the frequently asked questions. The strong reliance is

placed on the judgments dated 25th January, 2017 in Writ-C Nos.

2316 and 42491 of 2016 passed by the Allahabad High Court in

the case of Rahul Singh Vs. Union of India and others,

specifically in paragraph 7, which is reproduced as under.

"7. No provision of the 2006 Act bids us to deconstruct a works contract into elements relating to supply of goods and provision of service. Neither section 11 nor the Public Procurement Policy, 2012 appears to envisage a composite and distinct category of contract such as a work contract actually is. The classification of the tender work under Tenders 45 and 48 were correctly classified by the respondents in terms of the operating manual to be a works contract. There was no challenge to this classification. Consequently we find no error in the decision of the respondents in holding the petitioner to be

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ineligible for the grant of exemptions and benefits under the Public Procurement Policy, 2012. Their decisions to cancel the tender in the absence of deposit of tender cost and earnest money is upheld. Consequently the writ petitions fail and are accordingly dismissed".

22. Learned counsel for Petitioners therefore submitted

referring to the judgment that the issue is clear and on the facts

and circumstances as the nature of work so involved within the

ambit of works contract as it is not exclusive procurement of work

and/or services manufacture or produced by the enterprises "like

Respondent No.3" and therefore, in threshold itself, there was no

question of awarding the tender/contract to Respondent No.3, in

view of the clear position of law of works contract and has settled

apart from statutory provisions. The only argument which was

made by Respondent Nos. 2 and 3 without opposing the position

and meaning of "works contract" that as the work was insplitable

and inevitable and as the procurement policy itself permits the

policy of such contract, therefore based upon a clarification, so

issued from time to time, they have awarded the contract to

Respondent No.3.

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23. The concept and its utility of works contract is settled

by Supreme Court in the case of Kone Elevator India Private

Limited vs. State of Tamil Nadu reported in 2014 (7) SCC 1.

"46. At this juncture, it is condign to state that four concept s have clearly emerged. They are:

(i) the works contract is an indivisible contract but, by legal fiction, is divided into two parts, one for sale of goods, and the other for supply of labour and services;

(ii) the concept of "dominant nature test" or, for that matter, the "degree of intention test" or "overwhelming component test" for treating a contract as a works contract is not applicable;

(iii) the term "works contract" as used in clause (29- A) of Article 366 of the Constitution takes in its sweep all genre of works contract and is not to be narrowly construed to cover one species of contract to provide for labour and service alone; and

(iv) once the characteristics of works contract are met with in a contract entered into between the parties, any additional obligation incorporated in the contract would not change the nature of the contract.

62. ......

"5. ....... Therefore, in judging whether the contract is for a "sale" or for 'work and labour', the essence of the contract or the reality of the transaction as a whole has to be taken into consideration. The predominant object of the contract, the circumstances of the case and the custom of the trade provide a guide in deciding whether transaction is a "sale" or a "works contract". Essentially, the question is of interpretation of the 'contract'. It is settled law that the substance and not the form of the contract is material in determining the nature of transaction. No definite rule can be formulated to determine the question as to whether a particular given

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contract is a contract for sale of goods or is a works contract. Ultimately, the terms of a given contract would be determinative of the nature of the transaction, whether it is a "sale" or a "works contract". Therefore, this question has to be ascertained on facts of each case, on proper construction of terms and conditions of the contract between the parties."

69. Considered on the touchstone of the aforesaid two Constitution Bench decisions in Builders' Assn. And Gannon Dunkerley (2), we are of the convinced opinion that the principles stated in Larsen and Toubro as reproduced by us hereinablve, do correctly enunciate the legal position. Therefore, "the dominant nature test" or "overwhelming component test" or "the degree of labour and service test" are really not applicable. If the contract is a composite one which falls under the definition of works contracts as engrafted under clause (29-A)(b) of Article 366 of the Constitution, the incidental parts as regards labour and service pales into total insignificance for the purpose of determining the nature of the contract."

R E A S O N S

24. The respondents read and referred the policy, and the

clarification issued by way of FAQ's submissions recorded from

time to time. It is clarified in question No.18 that policy is made

for procurement of only goods produces and services rendered by

MSEs. However, traders are excluded from the purview of "Public

Procurement Policy". This was to the question whether this policy

is applicable for work/falling activities also. There is no issue,

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therefore, the benefits of this policy under the Act is required to be

given to the procurement of goods produced by the services

rendered by enterprises. Therefore, admittedly, not applicable to

the traders and even to the works contract and/or trading

activities.

25. All the parties are aware of the concept of the "works

contract", which is recognised specially "for such contract of

engineering, procurement and construction contract" (including

lump-sum package). The nature of work/tender invited, itself

shows that the contract in question is to design engineering

manufacturing, procurement and supply. The scope of the

contract definitely falls within the ambit of works contract.

26. Respondent No.3, admittedly submitted the tender,

though being an "enterprise" as contemplated under the Act and

claimed all the benefits of related policy claiming which, in view

of the specific provision not applicable and an expandable to the

nature of work so invited.

27. After considering the above admitted position, and the

law, the tender work falls within the ambit of "works contract",

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Respondent No.2 could not have awarded the contract to

Respondent No.3. Based upon the so called

memorandum/clarification issued by Respondent No.4. The

position of law including Section 2 and Section 11 of Micro Act,

makes it clear that the benefit and/or preference required to be

given under the Act and policy only on the nature of works falls

within the ambit of goods and services which are manufactured

and reproduces by the enterprise. The nature of contract should

be for sale of goods and such services. The composite nature of

contract falls within the ambit of "works contract". Respondent

No.3, therefore, is not entitled to get the benefit of this Act.

Respondent No.2 has awarded the contract by giving benefit of

this Micro Act, which in our view is impermissible and contrary to

the policy so declared under the Micro Act. The memorandum

and clarification, even if issued by Respondent No.4, is

unacceptable in view of the specific judgment given by the High

Court of Allahabad (supra) and Delhi High Court (supra)apart

from clear provisions of law of Micro Act and the policy so

declared and interpreted in those judgments.

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No total bar of Judicial review and interfere in Commercial Contract tender matter.

28. The memorandum cannot overwrite and/or period

over the provisions of act and the judgments so delivered by the

High Court, directly on the issue and the provisions in question.

The judgment so cited by the learned Counsel appearing for

Respondent No.2 Punjab and Haryana High Court (supra) is

distinguishable on facts itself, as it was the contract for

procurement of goods only and not the case of works contract like

the present one. The submissions based upon Delhi High Court

(supra) and Punjab and Haryana High Court (supra), that finding

once participated in the tender proceedings, the petitioners ought

not to have been permitted to challenge the contract so awarded

to Respondent No.3 who is successful bidder in the contract is also

unacceptable. We are not inclined to accept this, as in the present

case, the intention to award of the contract is contrary to the

provisions of the Micro Act and the policy so declared. Apart from

the judgments and the decisions so announced on the act by

Allahabad and Delhi High Courts. The stated concession of law

and not of fact, is impermissible. Mere participation is no bar to

challenge illegal and arbitral action even in commercial contract

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with the State/authority. The award of such contract to uneligible

contractor (Respondent No.3) Their clarification, basically on

question No.18 as reproduced above makes it very clear that State

policy is not applicable to the "works contract" and/or to the

traders This is the case which falls within the ambit of "works

contract".

29. The Apex Court in M/s. CRRC Corporation Ltd. Vs.

Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar & Ahmedabad (MEGA)

Company Ltd.1 has interpreted the tender conditions and the

eligibility criteria and set aside the High Court order. The

reference was made to Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. (Supra),

Montecarlo Ltd.(Supra).

30 Therefore, keeping in mind the Supreme Court

Judgments (supra) read and referred by the Counsel appearing for

Respondents and as those Supreme Court judgments itself makes

the position clear that if the Act and/or award of such

contract/tender is based upon illegality and/or perversity and

12017(6) SCALE 345

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arbitrary, there is no bar for judicial review to interfere in such

tender matter even at this stage. Undisputedly, present one is a

composite contract for supply and installation. There is no

separate contract entered into for installation and/or for labour

and service and/or for products/goods. This is not a sale of

goods/charter simplicitor.

31 To sum up, the provisions of Micro Act and the policy

are not applicable to work order. Hence, Respondent No.2 could

not have taken any decision. Therefore, the decision of

Respondent No.2 to award the tender to Respondent No.3 is

arbitrary and illegal.

Per Justice Anuja Prabhudessai, J.

32 I have perused the judgment authored by Mr. Anoop V.

Mohta, J. While agreeing with the view and conclusion arrived at

by my learned Brother Judge, I prefer to record my additional

reasons as under:-

The petitioner no.1 is a Company registered under the

provisions of the Companies Act. The petitioner no.2 is a

shareholder of the petitioner no.1 Company. Though the

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petitioners herein had raised several challenges in the writ

petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, they have

restricted their challenge mainly to the validity of clause 15.5 of

the tender document and the consequent decision of the

respondent no.2 to permit the respondent no.3 to match the

petitioners L1 bid and to award the tender contract to the

respondent no.3. The petitioners have also sought a direction

against the respondent no.2, to award the tender to the petitioner

no.1, being declared as L1.

33 The principles to be applied in judicial review of

administrative decision, specifically those relating to accepting of tender

and award of contract have been considered by the three Judge Bench of

the Apex Court in Tata Cellular vs. Union of India2. These

principles have been reiterated by the Apex Court in Directorate

of Education & Ors. vs. Educomp Datamatics Ltd.3 as :-.

9. It is well settled now that the courts can scrutinise the award of the contracts by the government or its agencies in exercise of its powers of judicial review to prevent arbitrariness or favoritism. However, there are inherent limitations in the exercise of the

2 1994 (6) SCC 651 3 (2004) 4 SCC 19

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power of judicial review in such matters. The point as to the extent of judicial review permissible in contractual matters while inviting bids by issuing tenders has been examined in depth by this Court in Tata Cellular vs. Union of India [1994 (6) SCC 651]. After examining the entire case law the following principles have been deduced.

"94. The principles deducible from the above are:

(1) The modern trend points to judicial restraint in administrative action. (2) The court does not sit as a court of appeal but merely reviews the manner in which the decision was made.

(3) The court does not have the expertise to correct the administrative decision. If a review of the administrative decision is permitted it will be substituting its own decision, without the necessary expertise which itself may be fallible.

(4) The terms of the invitation to tender cannot be open to judicial scrutiny because the invitation to tender is in the realm of contract. Normally speaking, the decision to accept the tender or award the contract is reached by process of negotiations through several tiers. More often than not, such decisions are made qualitatively by experts. (5) The Government must have freedom of contract. In other words, a fair play in the joints is a necessary concomitant for an administrative body functioning in an administrative sphere or quasi-

administrative sphere. However, the decision must not only be tested by the application of

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Wednesbury principle of reasonableness (including its other facts pointed out above) but must be free from arbitrariness not affected by bias or actuated by mala fides. (6) Quashing decisions may impose heavy administrative burden on the administration and lead to increased and unbudgeted expenditure.

[Emphasis supplied]

10. In Air India Limited vs. Cochin International Airport Limited [2000 (2) SCC 617], this Court observed:

"The award of a contract, whether it is by a private party or by a public body or the State, is essentially a commercial transaction. In arriving at a commercial decision considerations which are paramount are commercial considerations. The State can choose its own method to arrive at a decision. It can fix its own terms of invitation to tender and that is not open to judicial scrutiny. It can enter into negotiations before finally deciding to accept one of the offers made to it. Price need not always be the sole criterion for awarding a contract. It is free to grant any relaxation, for bona fide reasons, if the tender conditions permit such a relaxation. It may not accept the offer even though it happens to be the highest or the lowest. But the State, its corporations, instrumentalities and agencies are bound to adhere to the norms, standards and procedures laid down by them and cannot depart from them arbitrarily. Though that decision is not amenable to judicial review, the court can examine the decision-making process and interfere if it is

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found vitiated by mala fides, unreasonableness and arbitrariness." [Emphasis supplied]

11. This principle was again re-stated by this Court in Monarch Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v. Commissioner, Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation & Ors. [2000 (5) SCC 287]. It was held that the terms and conditions in the tender are prescribed by the government bearing in mind the nature of contract and in such matters the authority calling for the tender is the best judge to prescribe the terms and conditions of the tender. It is not for the courts to say whether the conditions prescribed in the tender under consideration were better than the one prescribed in the earlier tender invitations.

12. It has clearly been held in these decisions that the terms of the invitation to tender are not open to judicial scrutiny the same being in the realm of contract. That the government must have a free hand in setting the terms of the tender. It must have reasonable play in its joints as a necessary concomitant for an administrative body in an administrative sphere. The courts would interfere with the administrative policy decision only if it is arbitrary, discriminatory, mala fide or actuated by bias. It is entitled to pragmatic adjustments which may be called for by the particular circumstances. The courts cannot strike down the terms of the tender prescribed by the government because it feels that some other terms in the tender would have been fair, wiser or logical. The courts can interfere only if the policy decision is arbitrary,

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discriminatory or mala fide."

34 In Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. (supra), the Apex Court

has held that:-4

"13... a mere disagreement with the decision making process or the decision of the administrative authority is no reason for a constitutional Court to interfere . The threshold of mala fides, intention to favour some one arbitrariness, irrationality or perversity must be met before the constitutional Court interferes with the decision making process or the decision.

...

15. We may add that the owner or the employer of a project, having authored the tender documents, is the best person to understand and appreciate its requirements aad interpret its documents. The Constitutional Courts must defer to this understanding and appreciation of the tender documents, unless there is malafide or perversity in the understanding or appreciation or in the application of the terms of the tender conditions. It is possible that the owner or employer of a project may give an interpretation to the tender documents that is not acceptable to the constitutional courts but that by itself is not a reason for interfering with the interpretation given."

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35 While concurring with the aforesaid statement, the

Apex court in Montecarlo Ltd, versus NTPC Ltd (supra) has held

that:

"24 ...In the present scenario, tenders are floated and offers are invited for highly complex technical subjects. It requires understanding and appreciation of the nature of work and purpose it is going to serve. It is common knowledge in the competitive commercial field that technical bids pursuant to the notice inviting tenders are scrutinized by the technical experts and some times third party assistance from those unconnected with the owners organization is taken. This ensures objectivity. Bidders expertise and technical capability and capacity must be assessed by the experts. In the matters of financial assessments, consultants are appointed. It is because to check and ascertain that technical ability and the financial feasibility have sanguinity and are workable and realistic... There is multiprong complex approach; highly technical in nature. The tenders were public largessee is put to auction stand on a different compartment... Exercise of powers of judicial review would be called for if the approach is arbitrary or malafide or procedure adopted is meant to favour one. The decision making process should clearly show that the melodies are kept at bay. But where a decision is taken that is manifestly in consonance with the language of the tender document or sub serves the purpose for which the tender is

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floated, the court should follow the principle of restraint."

36 The controversy in the present case needs to be

considered on the touchstone of these well-settled principles.

Reverting to the facts, the respondent no.2 which is a public sector

enterprise had issued tender being no. CMM/HMP/23-70-10-087

for the purpose of design and engineering, procurement,

manufacture, inspection, testing, supply, erection and

commissioning of "fire water spray" system for Reactor Auxillary

Building and Control Building, the nuclear plants located at

Kakrapar near Surat, Gujrat and Rawatbatta in Kota District,

Rajasthan. As per the said tender, the bidders intending to

participate in the bid were required to meet the technical criteria,

financial criteria and evaluation criteria as detailed in Appendix X

of Section A to the said tender document.

37 The Respondent no. 2 being a public sector

undertaking extended the benefits under MSMED Act and Public

Procurement Policy, 2012 to the MSEs registered under the Act.

Clause 15.5 of the tender e Clause of the tender reads thus:-

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"15.5 Purchase Preference for supply of goods or services as per new Public Procurement Policy for Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) under Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (Subject to meeting qualifying requirement pas per clause 2.0)

As per the provisions of MSEs Policy, the participating bidder registered under MSEs Act in a tender of supply of goods or services, quoting price within the band of L1+15% would be allowed to supply a portion of the requirement by bringing down their price to the L1 price, in a situation where L1 price is from someone other than an MSE. Such MSEs would be allowed to supply upto 20% of the total tendered value. In case of more than one such eligible MSE, the supply will be shared proportionately. Further, out of 20% allocation allocation, a sub-target of 4% (i.e. 20% out of 20%) will be earmarked for procurement from MSEs to participate in the tender process or meet the tender requirements and the L1 price,the 4% sub-target for procurement ear-marked for MSEs owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs will be met from other MSEs proportionately.

In case a tender item is non-splitable or non-divisible, MSE quoting price within the price band of L1-Price (Other than MSE) +15% may be awarded for full/complete value of supplies, subject to matching of L1 price.

The MSEs who are interested in availing

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themselves of these benefits, will enclose with their offer the proof of their being MSE registered with any of the agencies mentioned in notification No.503 dated 26.3.2012, as printed in the Gazette of India indicated below:

(i) District Industries Centres,

(ii) Khadi & Village Industries Commission.

(iii) Khadi & Village Industries Board.

(iv) Coir Board.

(v) National Small Industries Corporation.

(vi) Director of Handicraft and handloom

(vii) Any other body specified by Ministry of MSME.

The MSEs must also indicate the terminal validity date of their registration. Failing of the above requirements, such offers will not be eligible for consideration of benefits detailed in notification No.503 dated 26.3.2012, as printed in the Gazette of India.

The contractor on whom the contract may be entered into against this tender shall furnish the Purchaser, the details of the sub-contractors meeting any part of contract execution herein and who qualify as MSE's as per the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 and amendments to the same."

38 The petitioner no.1 as well as the respondent no.3

submitted their respective bids. The price bids were opened on

22nd February, 2017. The petitioner no.1 was declared as LI (the

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lowest bidder) with a price bid of Rs.21,81,45,011 whereas the

Respondent no.3 was declared as L2 with a price bid of

Rs.23,19,75,000/. Since the petitioner no.1 is not a MSE, the

respondent no.2 called upon the respondent no.3, a registered

MSE, to match the price quoted by the petitioner no.1. The

Respondent no.3, agreed to meet the price bid of L1. The

Respondent no.2 therefore took a decision to award the tender

contract to the Respondent no.3. The petitioners have challenged

this decision mainly on the ground that the contract being a work

contract and not for procurement of goods and services, the

provisions of Micro, Medium, Small Enterprises (MSME) Act and

the policy framed thereunder are not applicable. The petitioner

therefore claims that the decision of Respondent no.2 to extend

the benefit under MSME Act and allot the tender contract to the

respondent no.3 is arbitrary, irrational and illegal.

39 In order to appreciate the controversy, it would be

advantageous to refer to the relevant provisions of the MSMED

Act, 2006, which has been enacted with an object to provide for

facilitating the promotion and development and enhancing the

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competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises. Sections

9 and 11 which are relevant to decide the controversy read thus:

9. Measures for Promotion and Development:. The Central Government may, from time to time, for the purposes of facilitating the promotion and development and enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly of the micro and small enterprises, by way of development of skill in the employees, management and entrepreneurs, provisioning for technological upgradation, marketing assistance or infrastructure facilities and cluster development of such enterprises with a view to strengthening backward and forward linkages, specify, by notification, such programmes, guidelines or instructions; as it may deem fit.

....

11. Procurement Preference Policy- For facilitating promotion arid development of micro and small enterprises, the Central Government or the State Government may, by order notify from time to time, preference policies in respect of procurement of goods and services, produced and provided by micro and small enterprises, by its Ministries or departments, as the case may be, or its aided institutions and public sector enterprises.

40 A plain reading of these provisions clearly indicate that

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the MSMED Act empowers the Government to notify preference

policies for procurement of goods and services produced and

provided by MSEs, by its Ministries, Departments and Public

Sector Undertakings. In exercise of these powers, the Central

Government notified the Public Procurement Policy of 2012 in

respect of procurement of goods and services produced and

provided by Micro and Small Enterprises. Clauses 3 and 6, of the

Public Procurement Policy 2012, read thus:-

"Clause 3. Mandatory procurement from micro Small and Enterprises. - (1) Every Central Ministry or Department or Public Sector Undertaking shall set an annual goal of procurement from Micro and Small Enterprises from the financial year 2012-13 and onwards, with the objective of achieving an overall procurement of minimum of 20 per cent, of total annual purchases of products produced and services rendered by Micro and Small Enterprises in a period of three years.

(2) Annual goal of procurement also include sub- contracts to Micro and Small Enterprises by large enterprises and consortia of Micro and Small Enterprises formed by National Small Industries Corporation.

(3) After a period of three years i.e. from 1st April 2015, overall procurement goal of minimum of 20 per cent shall be made

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mandatory.

(4) The Central Ministries, Departments and Public Sector Undertakings which fail to meet the annual goal shall substantiate with reasons to the Review Committee headed by Secretary (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), constituted in ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, under this Policy.

Clause 6. Price quotation in tenders. - (1) In tender, participating Micro and Small Enterprises quoting price within price band of L1+15 per cent shall also be allowed to supply a portion of requirement by bringing down their price to L1 price in a situation where L1 price is from someone other than a Micro and Small Enterprise and such Micro and Small Enterprise shall be allowed to supply upto 20 per cent of total tendered value.

(2) In case of more than one such Micro and Small Enterprise, the supply shall be shared proportionately (to tendered quantity).

41 The learned Counsel for the respondent no.3 has

placed on record the office memorandum as well as the press

release dated 12th February, 2015 issued by the Government of

India, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, wherein

the word "upto" in clause 6 of the policy are substituted by phrase

"at least". The Central Government has thus clarified that there is

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no embargo on CPSUs to take more than 20% supplies from MSES

as per their previous procurement pattern on case to case basis.

42 A plain reading of these provisions clearly indicate that

every Central Ministry, Departmental or Public Sector undertaking

is under a mandate to procure goods produced and services

rendered by the Micro Medium Enterprises. The Central

Government has enlisted total 358 items in Appendix, which have

been reserved for exclusive purchase from MSEs. Clause 6 of the

policy allows MSEs participating in tender process and qualifying

in price band of L1 + 15% to supply at least 20% of the total

tender value provided they bring down their price to L1 price.

Thus there can be no dispute that the Ministries, its Departments

and Public Undertakings are under obligation to implement the

provisions under the Act and achieve the objectives of the Act and

the policy.

43 The provisions of Section 11 of the Act and clause 3 of

the Policy envisage procurement of "goods and services" produced

and provided by MSEs. The provisions of the Act and the Policy

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are therefore applicable to procurement of "goods and services"

produced and provided by MSEs. Answer to FAQ No.18 also

makes it abundantly clear that the policy is meant for

procurement of only goods produced and services rendered by

MSEs. However, traders are excluded from purview of Public

Procurement Policy.

44 The provisions of the Act would therefore not be

applicable to work contracts, which are essentially contracts of

composite nature involving supply of goods as well as

labour/services etc. Similar view has been taken by Delhi High

Court in M/s. Shree Gee Enterprises (supra) wherein it has been

held that the policy is not applicable to work contracts simplicitor

and that it is only meant for goods produced and services

rendered by MSEs.

45 In Rahul Singh (supra), the Allahabad High Court has

held that provisions of Section 11 of the 2006 Act relate to the

procurement of goods and services produced and provided by

MSEs. It was further held that:

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" 6. A reconstruction of Section 11 bears out that it empowers the Central Govt. to formulate preference policies in respect of

(a) procurement of goods produced by MSE and (b) services provided by a MSE. The words "Services Provided" as used in the said provisiion must necessarily be read as disjunctive to the expression "Goods Produced". It cannot possibly be disputed that a "Work Contract" forms completely different and distinct genre then a contract for supply of goods, or for that matter a contract for providing services. A works contract is essentially a indivisible contract which may involve not just the supply of goods but also the provision of labour and service. ... In our considered opinion, the provisions of 2006 Act and more particularly Section 11 thereof , only contemplates and brings within its hold contracts for supply of goods and provision of service simplicitor. ... -

"7. No provision of the 2006 Act bids us to deconstruct a works contract into elements relating to supply of goods and provision of service. Neither section 11 nor the Public Procurement Policy, 2012 appears to envisage a composite and distinct category of contract such as a work contract actually is."

46 Considering the scope and object of the Act and the

relevant provisions under the Act and the Public Procurement

Policy, we are of the considered view that the purchase preference

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is restricted only to "goods and services" provided by MSEs.

47 The next question, which falls for consideration is

whether the tender contract issued by the Respondent no.2

pertains to procurement of Goods and Services within the

meaning of the Act or whether it is a work contract and is

excluded from the purview of Public Procurement Policy.

48 The term "Goods" has been defined under section 2(f)

of the MSMED Act as under:

"Goods" means every kind of movable property other than actionable claims and money"

49 The Respondent No.2 has placed on record an Office

Memorandum dated 9th November, 2016, issued by the

Government of India. A perusal of the said Office Memorandum

indicates that in view of the number of clarifications sought by the

procuring agencies, relating to providing of benefits of "Goods" &

"Services", the matter was placed before the Review Committee.

The Committee has decided that the definition of Goods and

Services as provided in the Public Procurement Bill, 2012

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prepared by Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

should be accepted for PP Policy. The said definition reads thus:

"Goods" includes all articles, material, commodity, livestock, furniture, fixtures, raw material, spare parts, instruments, machinery, equipment, industrial plant, vehicles, aircrafts, ships, railway rolling stock assemblies, sub-assemblies, accessories, a group of machines comprising an integrated production process of such other categories of goods or intangible, products like technology, transfer, licenses, patents or other intellectual or intangible, products like technology transfer, licenses patents or other intellectual properties (but excludes, books, publications, periodicals etc for a library) procured or otherwise acquired by a procuring entity.

Procurement of goods may include certain small work or some services, which are incidental or consequential to the supply of such goods, such as transportation, insurance, installation, commissioning, training and maintenance.

"Service" means any subject matter of procurement other than goods or works, except those incidental or consequential to the service, and includes physical, maintenance, professional, intellectual, training, consultancy and advisory services or any other service classified or declared as such by a procuring entity but does not include appointment of an individual made under any law, rules, regulations or order issued in this behalf. "Subject matter of procurement" means any item of procurement whether in the form or

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goods, services or works or a combination thereof'.

50 In the instant case, the question whether the nature of

work envisaged by the tender is in the nature of procurement of

goods or whether it is a work contract would largely depend on

the terms of the contract and the nature of the obligation to be

discharged thereunder. It is therefore not necessary to delve into

the powers of the Review Committee to accept the definition

Goods and Services as provided in the Public Procurement Bill,

2012 for PP Policy. or to consider whether the definition accepted

by the Review Committee is in conformity with the specific

provision and the object and scope of the parent Act.

51 Now coming to the terms of the tender, from a plain

reading of the tender it is evident that the tender was not invited

for installing fire extinguishers (wall type), as specified under

item no. 117 of the Appendix to the MSMED Act. The tender was

invited for- 'Design & Engineering,' Manufacture, Procurement,

Supply, seismic qualification/testing, inspection, examination,

testing, erection, commissioning, performance guarantee (PG),

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handing over of Fire water spray system including piping,

flanges, manual valves, NPCIL approved HILTI make anchor

fasteners, electrically operated valves (EV), Deluge valves

assemblies (DV) including its Control and Instrumentation with

fire detectors, JBs, LCP etc and other specialties, supports,

Mandatory spares and special tools & tackles, if any for Medium

Velocity Water Spray System (MVWS) and Multiple Control Zonal

Spray System (MCZS) beyond terminal point indicated in the

tender specification in RAB and CB for KAPP- 3 & 4 and RAPP-7 &

8 (Tender).

52 It will be advantageous to reproduce some of the

relevant clauses of the tender to understand the nature and scope

of the contract. Detailed scope of facilities and work for fire water

spray system ss spelt out in clause 4.1. of general conditions of

Engineering Procurement and Construction Contracts (GCC) and

clause 6.1 of General Technical Requirements read as under:-

4.1. Scope of Facilities :

4.1.1.Unless otherwise expressly limited in the Technical Specifications, the Contractor's obligations cover the detailed design and engineering of the facilities,

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supply of all Plant and Equipment (covering design, engineering, procurement, manufacture, Quality Assurance, testing, packing and forwarding transportation and delivery at site and the performance of all Installation services required for unloading and storage at site, erection/ installation, associated civil works, per-

commissioning / commissioning and Performance Testing of the Facilities) in accordance with the plans procedures, specifications, drawings, codes and any other documents as specified in the Technical Specifications, as lump-sum Engineering, Procurement and Constructions (EPC) package contract. Such specifications include, but are not limited to, the provisions of Supervision and Engineering services, Supply of Labour, Transportation (Including without limitation, unloading and hauling to, from and at the Site), storage Contractor's Equipment, Constructions Utilities and Supplies, Structures and Facilities, Erection and Commissioning, Consumables, equipment required for inspection and testing and Commission, Spare and Accessories."

6.1. Detailed Scope of Work for Fire Water Spray System:-

6.1.1.a) Design & Engineering- The scope of design & engineering covers from conceptual design to detailed engineering including seismic analysis and preparation of drawing and documents covering but not limited to development of design

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basis, piping design, philosophy, design / sizing criteria, design calculation, design parameters finalization, preparation of Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (PIDs), valve list, development and finalization of control and logic requirements, redundancy & design margins requirements and material selection of fire water spray system piping, manual valves, power operated valves, deluge valves, flanges, nozzles, strainers, specialities , sizing and selection of pipe supports.

...

b) Minor Engineering- Scope of minor Engineering covers engineering modification of piping near interface piping, at terminal points, modification or re-routing in piping layout its associated piping supports mciud1ng EP location due to interference with other system components & structures. Routing of small diameter auxiliary piping (less than and including 50 NB) I tubing including supports. It is expected that 10 % of the piping supports may need modifications post stress analysis.

c) Supply- Scope of supply includes design & manufacture of nozzles, pipes & fittings, valves, flanges, specialties, control panels, Instruments, tubing, structural steel, fasteners, anchor bolts, consumables required for execution of this contract covering all activities from material induction, manufacturing process, quality surveillance, inspection and testing, carrying out and witnessing

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non-destructive testing and performance testing of nozzles and deluge valve & motorised valves at manufacturer's works, packing, ocean shipment and marine insurance and clearance through Indian port of entry in case of imported equipment, inland transportation, Inland transit insurance, delivery to site, unloading, taking delivery, site storage, receiving all the drawings and documents from vendors, preservation during transit & storage at site till erection. All associated instruments, installation, control panel engineering and testing including seismic testing, documents like test procedure, test reports, drawings are also a part of supply..

d) Erection/ Construction- Scope of erection and construction covers material handling during erection/ construction, transportation from Contractor's storage area to erection site, Inspection, examination, testing before and during erection, complete erection, site testing after erection, flushing of piping after completing erection, with provision of required temporary piping, supports, instruments and system normalisation after testing & flushing, installation of panel and its functional test, identification and establishing QA program for site works in line with PURCHASER's QA Program, preparation of CA documents, CA Plans, work procedures for erection & construction procedures for ell structures end systems as specified herein. Erection and construction of all fire -water spray systems and structures in such a manner so as to render the system complete for

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safe & efficient operation of the plant. Preparation of as-built drawings for all fire water spray systems, including field routed piping. Preparation of construction completion reports. Collection and documentation of all testing and inspection data.

Piping Erection- Scope of piping erection covers handling, transportation, shifting,installation, alignment, fixing of pipe and pipe elements, valves, specialties with supports.

Fixing of U-damps along with bolts, nuts, locknuts, plain washers, taper washers etc.

...

e) Estimation of Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for piping supports - Purchaser will be providing the typical support configurations to successful bidder. Estimation of Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for piping supports in terms of numbers and size & lengths of support members, U- Clamps, nuts, bolts, washers is in the scope of Contractor.

f) Quality Assurance & Testing-Tenderer shall prepare and submit QA Plan for Purchasers approval. Tenderer shall carry out all Quality Surveillance activities as per approved QA plans, which will be prepared by vendor based on sample OAP, drawings, data sheets and technical specifications enclosed with the tender.

g) Painting- Painting including supply, handling, surface preparation, application

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of primer and final paint.

h) Commissioning of vendor specific systems and equipment- Scope of commissioning & testing include preparation of detailed logical and sequential programme of commissioning activities, commissioning procedures. Commissioning of all the system, structure and equipment to verify the design Intent, preparation of commissioning reports. Carryout any modification required in the system, structure and equipment based on commissioning feedback.

....

k) Seismic qualification- Seismic qualification is required for piping.

indud1ng supports, panels, power operated valves of fire water spray system for the area identified in RAB & CB as per PIO, Power operated valves (Deluge valves assembly & Electrically operated valves with actuator) , instruments and panels as specified shall be qualified for seismic loads under SSE and OBE, as per NPClL specification no PP-P-1819 titled 'Technical Specification for Methods & Procedures for seismic qualification of valves, panels, devices, rotating equipments, tanks, vessels, piping and supports. ...

The contractor shall submit design, analysis and test procedure to Purchaser for approval. For the systems engineered by the contractor, the piping stress I seismic analysis shall be carried out by the contractor.

53 A perusal of these clauses reveal that the contract

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under tender is a composite contract, which involves supply of

goods, as well as erection, installation and commissioning in

accordance with the plans/ drawings, procedures, and specific

specifications. The nature of work requires expertise, special skill

in designing, engineering and various other technical aspects in

erecting, installing, commissioning and making the firewater spray

system operational and functional. The tender contract of this

nature is not for sale of goods simplicitor, but is a composite

contract, which has to be treated as work contract.

54 In this regard it would be advantageous to refer to the

decision of the Apex Court in Larsen & Toubro Ltd. vs. State of

Karnataka5 wherein it was observed as under:

"60. Whether the contract involved a dominant intention to transfer the property in goods, in our view, is not at all material.

It is not necessary to ascertain what is the dominant intention of the contract. Even if, the dominant intention of the contract is not to transfer the property in goods and rather it is rendering in service, or the ultimate transaction is transfer of immovable property, then also it is open to the State to levy Sales Tax on the materials used in such contract if it otherwise has

5 (2014) 1 SCC 708

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elements of work contract....

72. ... even in a contract, besides the obligation of supply of goods and material and performance of labour and services, some additional obligations are imposed, such contract does not seize to be work contract, (for) the additional obligations in the contract would not alter the nature of the contract so long as the contract provides for a contract of work and satisfies the primary description of work contract.... Once the characteristics or elements of work contract are satisfied in a contract, then irrespective of additional obligations, such contract would be covered by the term "works contract" to contract for labour and service only."

55 In Kone Elevators Pvt. Ltd. vs. State of Tamil Nadu 6

the issue before the larger Bench of the Apex Court was whether a

contract for manufacture, supply and installation of lifts in a

building is a contract for sale of goods or a work contract. The

Apex Court upon considering the principles laid down in Larsen &

Toubro has held that :

"46. At this juncture, it is condign to state that four concepts have clearly emerged. They are:

(i) the works contract is an indivisible contract but, by legal fiction, is divided into

6 (2014) 7 SCC 1.

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two parts, one for sale of goods, and the other for supply of labour and services;

(ii) the concept of "dominant nature test" or, for that after, the "degree of intention test" or overwhelming component test" for treating a contract as a works contract is not applicable;

(iii) the term "works contract" as used in clause (29-A) of Article 366 of the Constitution takes in its sweep all genre of works contract and is not to be narrowly construed to cover one species of contract to provide for labour and service alone; and

(iv) once the characteristics of works contract are met with in a contract entered into between the parties, any additional obligations incorporated in the contract would not change the nature of the contract.

56 The Apex Court whilst holding that the principle stated

in Larsen & Toubro Ltd. correctly enunciate the legal position,

held that:

"69..... therefore, "the dominant nature test" or "overwhelming component test" or "the degree of labour and service test" are really not applicable. If the contract is a composite one, which falls under the definition of works contract as engrafted under clause (29-A) (b) of Article 366 of the Constitution, the incidental part as regards labour and service pales into total insignificance for the purpose of determining the nature of the contract."

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....

"70. ...We may hasten to add that this position is stated in respect of a composite contract which requires the contractor to install a lift in a building. It is necessary to state here that if there are two contracts, namely, purchase of the components of the lift from a dealer, it would be a contract for sale and similarly, if a separate contract is entered into for installation, that would be a composite contract, for it is not a sale of goods/chattel simpliciter. It is not chattel sold as chattel or, for that matter, a chattel being attached to another chattel. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to term it as a contract for sale on the bedrock that the components are brought to the site i.e. building, and prepared for delivery"....

57 In the instant case, as stated earlier, the contract under

tender is a composite contract for supply of goods as well as

installation of fire water spray system, which is a permanent

fixture. The goods supplied under the contract are eventually

assembled and installed at site and become part of the permanent

fixture. The said contract satisfies fundamental characteristics of

work contract and hence cannot be considered as a contract

simplicitor for sale of goods and services.

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58 As stated earlier, the MSMED Act and the Public

Procurement Policy is applicable only to procurement of goods and

services. The contract under tender not being a contract for sale

of goods and predominantly a work contract, the benefits of the

Act and the Policy could not be extended to the MSEs registered

under the Act. Clause 15.5 of the tender is therefore not in

consonance with the provisions of the MSMED Act and the Policy

framed thereunder and does not sub-serve the purpose of the Act

and the policy. The said clause is therefore illegal, arbitrary and

contrary to the provisions of the policy and the Act. In the light of

above, the fact that the petitioner no.1 had not challenged the said

clause pales into insignificance, as it is well settled that there is no

estoppel against law. Hence, the fact that the petitioner no.1 had

not challenged the condition in the tender would not per se entitle

the respondent no.2 to extend the benefits under MSMED Act and

Public Procurement Policy to the respondent no.3, when the policy

itself does not apply to the work contract.

59 It is also pertinent to note that the Petitioner no.1 was

the lowest bidder (L1). He was neither disqualified nor held to be

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ineligible for any other reason. The Petitioner no.1 was not

awarded the contract mainly because it was not a MSE. The

Respondent no. 3 (L2) was allowed to match the price bid of the

petitioner no.1 (L1) solely on the basis of the provisions of

MSMED Act and Public Procurement Policy and clause 15.5 of the

tender. As stated earlier, the Policy was not applicable to the

contract under tender, despite which the respondent no.2 has

sought to legislate a benefit to the respondent no.3 which has not

been contemplated either by the policy or the Act. The decision of

the respondent no.2 to award the tender to the respondent no.3,

by taking refuge to clause no.15.5 of the tender is illegal, arbitrary

and based upon incorrect reading and interpretation of the Public

Procurement Policy. Therefore, awarding the tender to the

respondent no.3 would be arbitrary, discriminatory and contrary

to the provisions of the Act and the policy.

60 The petitioners have also sought a direction against

the respondent no.2 to award contract to petitioner no.1. It is not

in dispute that the petitioner no.1 is the lowest bidder.

Nevertheless, in terms of clause 16.1 of the tender the purchaser

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i.e. the respondent no.2 herein has right to accept or reject lowest

bid in whole or in part without assigning any reasons whatsoever.

Even otherwise, merely by the fact of being a lowest bidder he

does not acquire any indefeasible right for issuance of contract.

Under the circumstances, and particularly considering the nature

of work involved, we are of the considered view that it would be

appropriate to allow the respondent no.2, who in the

circumstances is the best judge, to take the decision as regards the

eligibility of the bidder, and to award of the contract to the eligible

and suitable bidder.

61 Under the circumstances, and in view of the discussion

supra, and taking into consideration the principles laid down by

the Apex Court in Tata Cellular (supra), in my considered view

this is fit case which warrants judicial interference to the extent of

quashing the decision taken by the respondent no.2 to award the

tender to the respondent no.3. Hence, the Order:-

                   i)      The petition is partly allowed.

                   ii)     The decision of the   respondent no.2   to award 

the tender to the respondent no.3 is hereby quashed

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and set aside;

iii) We make it clear that we have not quashed the

entire tender process and that the respondent no.2 can

take appropriate decision as regards award of contract

to any eligible bidder;

iv) Rule is made absolute in above terms. No costs.

v) In view of disposal of the writ petition, Notice of

Motion (l) No. 288 of 2017 stands disposed of.

(ANUJA PRABHUDESSAI, J.) (ANOOP V. MOHTA, J.)

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