MeECL, company fined over Rs 4 lakh

SHILLONG: MeECL and a company have to equally share a compensation amount of over Rs 4 lakh for cancelling a tender and allotting the contract without calling tender.
The order of the division bench of the High Court on Thursday was in response to the petition of one G.M Lanong and others for cancelling their bid in an unfair manner.
Thereafter, no tenders were invited and the contract for civil works was awarded to Power Carriers (India) Pvt. Ltd.
The contract was for construction of 132KV double circuit transmission line on 220KV towers from Myntdu-Leshka Stage-I hydel project to the 132 KV sub-station at Khliehriat, Jaintia Hills.
Earlier, a single bench had awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the petitioner while holding the respondents – MeECL and Power Carriers (India) Pvt. Ltd – jointly liable for the same and also awarded another amount of Rs 50,000 towards the cost of proceedings.
However, the division bench on Thursday modified the compensation and said the petitioner is entitled to Rs 4,34,000 towards compensation besides Rs 50,000 towards cost of court proceedings as awarded by the single judge.
According to the court, the amount payable will be borne in equal proportions by the company and MeECL.