S. Ravindra Bhat, J.

CM No.34683/2017 (exemption) Allowed, subject to just exceptions.

W.P.(C) No.8421/2017 & CM No.34684/2017 (stay)

1. The writ petitioners claim to be aggrieved by a notice issued on 07.09.2017 by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for induction of bulk LPG Tank Trucks on ad-hoc basis. Their grievance is that the tender which had been floated on 01.09.2014 by BPCL along with the other petroleum and oil companies on regional/zonal basis and which was finalized subsequently, resulted in selection of several bidders whose Tank Trucks (TTs) were accepted. The petitioners contend that without first exhausting the list of such TTs offered additionally (as was required of the bidders originally when they submitted their tenders), the BPCL cannot enter into contract with third parties.

2. The facts of the case are that BPCL and the other oil companies, namely, Hindustan Petroleum Company and Indian Oil Company invited region and zone-wise bids from eligible owners offering to contract out LPG Tank Trucks (TTs) for transporting bulk LPG. The bidders were asked to quote rates on zonal/regional basis in respect of the companies of their choice. After clos