Date:17/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/17/stories/2006111700671000.htm

Back HC extends stay on BSNL tender

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Nov. 16

The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended the stay on the BSNL tender for 45 million GSM cellular lines till November 30.

The stay was extended by a Bench comprising the acting Chief Justice, Mr Vijender Jain, and Mr Justice Kailash Gambhir, after counsel for BSNL submitted before the bench that the affidavit filed by American telecom giant Motorola has some new facts, for which they need more time to respond. Motorola filed the case, after it was disqualified by BSNL from bidding for one of the largest GSM projects in the world.

BSNL has contended that Motorola was not eligible as it failed to satisfy the techno-commercial aspect of the tender.

Ericsson and Nokia had emerged as the two lowest bidders, when the tenders were opened by BSNL. The court has asked BSNL to carry on with the evaluation process but not to award the contract until a decision is taken by the Bench.