The Centre challenges a Delhi High Court order that nullifies a tender for outsourcing consular, passport and visa (CPV) services at four Indian missions abroad. Multiple reports say the Supreme Court agrees to hear the Centre’s appeal on July 20, following the high court’s decision quashing the tender awarded to private firms for services at missions in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra. A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana is scheduled to take up the matter after a submission by the Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta. According to the Centre’s stand, the high court’s ruling disrupts the functioning of visa and other services at these locations because a newly awarded tender would not allow a vendor to begin operations immediately, even if fresh Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are issued.
The Delhi High Court, while setting aside the tender, directs the government to issue a fresh RFP and invite new bids. Reports note that the Centre argues that fresh tenders are awarded through the required procedure but that interim disruption makes service delivery difficult. The Supreme Court’s hearing will consider the legal basis and implications of the high court’s order.
