Chennai: The High Court has dismissed the petition filed against the awarding of the tender for the “Thai Maman Gold Ring” scheme to Joy Alukkas.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that under the “Thai Maman Gold Ring” scheme, babies born in government hospitals from June 22 onward will be given a one-gram gold ring of 22-carat purity.
4.42 lakh rings
The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation invited tenders to procure 4.42 lakh gold rings for this project. The tender was awarded to the well-known Kerala-based company Joy Alukkas, which had requested that, in addition to the market price for one gram of gold, only Re. 1 paise extra be paid to its company as other charges including making charges and wastage.
Raj, from Chennai, filed a case in the High Court seeking cancellation of this tender. The case came up for hearing before Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arulmurugan.
Then, on the petitioner’s side, it was stated: The tender conditions specify that gold rings with a hallmark seal must be sent to 107 centers across the state.
Since a fee of Rs. 45 has to be paid for each ring just to obtain the hallmark seal, it is commercially impossible for Joy Alukkas to agree to supply 4.42 lakh rings for just Rs. 4,417.
If this is permitted, there is a possibility that the jewelry may be of poor quality. Besides, it is inappropriate for the Medical Services Corporation to finalize the ring tender. Thus, it was argued on the petitioner’s side.
The judges who intervened then said: The petitioner has not filed a case alleging that the gold ring scheme was wrong or that there was a violation of tender rules. He has filed the case only against the tender being awarded to the concerned company.
A case cannot be filed merely challenging the awarding of a tender to a company. Moreover, if that company supplies the ring for one paisa, the government alone will benefit from it. The court cannot interfere in the company’s income and expenditure matters.
Since it is already in the gold jewelry business, the company may have come forward to supply it for one paisa. If the ring is found to be of poor quality, the officials will cancel the tender.
Therefore, this case is not suitable for investigation. However, a detailed order in this case will be issued later. The judges said this and dismissed the case.
