The Karnataka High Court has put a stay on the 860 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) project tender auctioned by Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL).

The High Court’s order came in response to a writ petition filed by Grasim Industries Limited.

On February 8, 2018, the Karnataka High Court put a stay on the auction, asking the respondents to come to the court on February 17, 2018. On February 17, 2018, the court adjourned the matter until further proceedings.

A source at Grasim Industries commented on the development saying, “We have just raised a technical question and the High Court has asked KREDL not to move forward with the closure of the tender until the High Court completes its proceedings and has its final findings.”

When asked how much time it might take to resolve the case, the source replied, “The court has met twice on this issue and I cannot comment on this as this is a matter of the judiciary. It is up to them.”

Grasim Industries’ petition is based on the fact that the initial deposit of ₹1 million (~$15,414) paid by them had not been uploaded in the e-tendering portal due to a technical glitch, rendering them unable to participate.

A KREDL official told Mercom, “Yes, a stay has been put and as asked by the Honorable Karnataka High Court, we will maintain the status quo, until further orders.”

When asked if there are chances of a retender, the KREDL official said, “I cannot comment on that, whatever the High Court decides will be the last word.”

Of the 860 MW that were tendered in the month of December 2017, KREDL auctioned 760 MW of grid-connected solar PV projects to be developed across 38 taluks in the state on February 1, 2018.

Image credit: By Polytropos-Commons (Own Work) via Wikimedia Commons