In what could be a setback for Indian expats in the UAE, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday quashed the Indian Embassy’s contract to run Indian passport, visa and attestation services in the UAE to Alhind Tours and Travels LLC. The Centre had given the contract for handling consular services to Alhind Tours and Travels LLC, replacing BLS International and SGIVS Global.
The Delhi High Court, in a petition filed by two bidders raising serious questions over how the contract was awarded, quashed the contract and directed the government to restart the procurement process not just in Abu Dhabi, but also in Kuwait, Singapore, and Australia. "Accordingly, the present Petitions are allowed. The impugned technical evaluation processes are set aside. Consequently, award of tender in favour of the private Respondents shall also stand nullified," the judgment states.
The plea was filed by the bidders, who were both disqualified at the technical evaluation stage. However, the court found that the respondent authorities failed to disclose the basis for awarding marks and ordered that the contract be put back out to tender.
The initial plan was that Alhind would start the consular services after the contracts of BLS International and SGIVS Global expired on June 30.
Now that Alhind’s contract has been quashed, there could be a delay in passport renewals and other consular services, adding to the troubles of Indian expats.
The High Court also directed the Centre to issue fresh Requests for Proposal for the tendering process at all four missions within one month.
The court also directed that the existing incumbents, BLS International and SGIVS Global, be allowed to continue providing the aforesaid services across all four Missions. This is to ensure that there is no disruption in the provision of public services or inconvenience to the public, until the fresh tender process is concluded and the successful (L-1) bidders are selected in accordance with law."
