Foodgrain transport tender subject to final verdict

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court, presided over by Justice Vaishali Patil-Jadhav, has scheduled the final hearing of a petition challenging Nanded district's foodgrain transport tender for June 10, 2026, directing the state government to submit its written reply before the next date.

The petitioner, Sadguru Hamal Kamgar Sahakari Sanstha a cooperative labour organisation with over 30 years of experience and a valid contract until September 30, 2027 has challenged the state's 'consolidated tender' policy, a government resolution dated April 24, 2026, and a subsequent e-tender notice of April 30, 2026.

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600% rate hike and financial irregularity alleged

The petitioner flagged a 600% hike in the tender's base rate, arguing it burdens the state exchequer while benefiting private contractors, violates statutory rates under the National Food Security Rules, 2015, and ignores the fact that large vehicles cannot access narrow urban roads, making specialised handling essential. The petitioner was represented by adv Pradnya Talekar and adv Pawan Uttarwar; the state by adv Amarjitsingh Girase, adv Mukul Kulkarni and adv Chaudhary filed similar petitions.