Full Judgment
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 01.07.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP (MD) Nos.13697 & 13698 of 2026 T.Thirunavukkarasu ... Petitioner(s) vs. The Executive Officer, Tiruppuvanam Selection Grade Town Panchayat, Sivagangai District. ... Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorari call for the records relating to the impugned order dated 17.06.2026 (Published on 20.06.2026) in Na.Ka.A1/160/2026 issued by the respondent and set aside the same. For Petitioner : Mr. J.Anandkumar For R1 : Mr.R.Ramasamy, Counsel for State
ORDER
Challenging the tender notification dated 17.06.2026, the present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent.
3. The respondent Town Panchayat is conducting the weekly shandy
every Tuesday and Wednesday. For the said purpose, the respondent issued the impugned tender notification inviting bids for the grant of the right to conduct the weekly shandy. Alleging certain irregularities in the tender notification, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the tender
notification was issued on 20.06.2026 fixing the date of auction as 03.07.2026, without adhering to the mandatory minimum period of fifteen (15) days prescribed under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act and the Rules framed thereunder. It is submitted that the respondent could not have conducted the auction within such a short period and therefore, the impugned tender notification is liable to be interfered with.
5. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that there
is no clarity with regard to the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD). According to the petitioner, the respondent has fixed the EMD at Rs.20,00,000/-, which is equivalent to the upset price and the same is arbitrary, unreasonable and exorbitant, thereby restricting participation in the tender process.
6. Per contra, the learned Counsel for the State, appearing for the
respondent submitted that the EMD has been fixed at Rs.20,00,000/- with a view to ensuring that only genuine and serious bidders participate in the tender process. It is further submitted that the EMD amount would be refunded to all unsuccessful bidders in accordance with the tender conditions.
7. The learned Counsel for the State, on instructions, fairly submitted that though the impugned tender notification fixed the auction within a short
period, the respondent has decided to issue a fresh tender notification by providing the mandatory minimum period of fifteen (15) days before the date of auction.
8. In view of the fair submission made by the learned Counsel for the
State, no further adjudication is required in the present Writ Petition. The respondent is directed to issue a fresh tender notification strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act and the Rules framed thereunder, by providing the mandatory minimum period before the date fixed for auction.
9. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No
costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 01.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes PKN To The Executive Officer, Tiruppuvanam Selection Grade Town Panchayat, Sivagangai District.
M.DHANDAPANI,J.
PKN
ORDER MADE IN
DATED : 01.07.2026