J U D G M E N T

Ext.P14 decision of the second respondent is under challenge in this writ petition.

2. As per the terms of a loan agreement entered into by the State Government with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for implementing a road project, the fourth respondent invited Expression of Interest from eligible consultants for rendering consultancy service for the project. Ext.P4 is the notification inviting Expression of Interest. Seven consultants including the petitioner responded to the notification. After preliminary scrutiny, five out of the seven consultants including the petitioner were shortlisted and they were called upon to submit their technical and financial bids. In the evaluation of the technical bids, only the petitioner was qualified. Since the petitioner was found qualified in the evaluation of the technical bids, their financial bid was also opened and the files were placed before the second respondent, the Project Steering Committee which has to take a final decision in the matter as per the terms of Ext.P3 project agreement. Since there was only one bid for rendering consultancy services, the second respondent Committee did not accept