IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC MONDAY, THE 18TH AUGUST 2008 / 27TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 24156 of 2008(A) -------------------------- PETITIONERS: ---------------- 1. MOLLY RAJU, W/O. T.J. RAJU, THANNIMOOTTIL CHIRAYIL, VALANJAVATTOM.P.O, KADAPRA, THIRUVALLA. 2. MOLAMMA, W/O. JOSE, PULLOOSSERY HOUSE, VALANJAVATTOM.P.O, KADAPRA, THIRUVALLA. BY ADV. SRI.S.SUBHASH CHAND SMT.M.P.MARY RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. MANAGING DIRECTOR, KERALA STATE BEVARAGES (M&M) CORPORATION LIMITED, OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. KERALA STATE BEVERAGES (M&M) CORPORATION LIMITED, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. MANAGER, KERALA STATE BEVERAGES (M&M) CORPORATION LIMITED, WAREHOUSE, VALANJAMBALAM, THIRUVALLA. BY ADV. SRI.P.J.ELVIN PETER,SC,BEVERAGES CORPN. FOR R1-3 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18/08/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. =============== W.P.(C) NO. 24156 OF 2008 A ==================== Dated this the 18th day of August, 2008 J U D G M E N T The writ petition concerns Ext.P5 tender invited by the 2nd respondent for the work of sticking of adhesive holographic security labels in liquor bottles at the warehouse of the Beverages Corporation. 2. It would appear that four quotations have been received in response to Ext.P5. According to the petitioners, while the finalisation of the tender is being delayed, the contractor who has undertaken work for the previous year following Ext.P2 and whose permit has already expired, is still continuing the work at higher rates. It would appear that the petitioner has filed Ext.P6, a representation complaining of delay in the finalisation of the tender and thereafter this writ petition was filed. 3. It is also their case that in response to the tender, in the four offers that were received, the lowest offer has been made by Thiruvalla Vanitha Co-operative Society at a rate which is ridiculously low, unworkable and one which will not fetch anything near the minimum wages that are payable. This contention of the petitioners is answered by the Corporation in their statement to the effect that minimum wages have WPC 24156/08 :2 : not been notified yet and that the proposal is pending finalisation of the Government. According to the Corporation, once minimum wages is notified, the Corporation can negotiate with the tenderers and thereafter finalise the deal. 4. If as a matter of fact, Corporation is awaiting notification of the minimum wages which is exclusively within the domain of the Government, this Court will not be justified in finding fault with the Corporation that there is delay on its part in finalising the tender. All that need be said is that once minimum wages are notified, the Corporation will take expeditious steps for finalisation of the tenders which have been received in response to Ext.P5 tender notice. Writ petition is disposed of as above. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE Rp