Appeal against stay of smart card contract posted to Sept 3

Madras High Court today posted to September 3 the hearing of an appeal by Tamil Nadu Transport Secretary and Commissioner against a single judge's stay on a government's tender notification for issuance of smart cards for driving licences and vehicle registration certificates.
The bench comprising acting Chief Justice Rajesh Kumar Agrawal and Justice M Sathyanarayan posted the appeal to September 3.
On July 8, Justice K K Sasidharan had stayed all further proceedings pursuant to the June 28, 2010 tender notification and April 30, 2013 contract awarding the project to Bon Ton Softwares(P) Ltd here until further orders.
The interim order was issued on a petition by Noida-based Smart Chip Ltd, whose bid was rejected, challenging the selection process for the contract, which allegedly caused a loss of over Rs 96 crore to the state exchequer.

Challenging the single judge's order, the State Transport Department has filed the appeal stating that the project involved the national security and public interest and seeking vacation for the stay.