S.Raja Contractor v. Piyush Goyal, I.A.S., and 3 Others

ORDER This contempt petition has been filed to punish the respondents for the disobedience of this Court order dated 20.08.2025 made in W.P.No. 13383 of 2025.

2.When the matter was taken up for hearing, the affidavit of the respondents was filed and the relevant portions are extracted hereunder:

¶5It is submitted that following the cancellation of the said contract, no fresh contract has been awarded to any contractor. Any fresh engagement of a contractor can only be undertaken through a transparent tender process in accordance with the applicable procurement rules and procedures governing M/sMineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), which is a Public Sector Undertaking.

¶6It is further submitted that, before initiating any fresh tender, the the Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MEL), is required to assess the actual operational requirement of contractual manpower with reference to the volume of work available. Such assessment is an essential administrative exercise and forms the basis for any decision regarding outsourcing of work.

7.It is submitted that M/s Mineral Exploration and Consultancy fited (MECL), is a Central Public Sector Enterprise functioning under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, and is required to act prudently in financial and administrative matters. Accordingly, any proposal for engagement of contractual manpower has to be based upon economic casibli, operational necessity and public interest. A fresh tender cannot be floated merely as a matter of course without first determining the actual requirement.

¶8It is respectfully submitted that, as on date, no decision has been taken to initiate a fresh tender process, since the present assessment does not indicate any immediate operational requirement warranting such action.

¶9It is further submitted that even if, upon future assessment, a decision is taken to outsource the work through a fresh contractor, the process of preparing tender documents, obtaining administrative approvals, publishing the tender on the Government e-procurement platform, evaluating bids and finalising the tender would ordinarily require a minimum period of four to five months.

3.It is clear from the above that the tender is issued only based on the actual operational requirement of contractual man power with reference to the volume of work available. Hence, it is undertaken that as and when such situation arise, the tender will be called for and it will require four to five months for finalisation.

4.Recording the same, this contempt petition is closed. 29-07-2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes kp To Piyush Goyal, I.A.S., Secretary to the Government, Ministry of Coal and Mines, Union of India, New Delhi. N.ANAND VENKATESH J. kp

29-07-2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 29-07-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH S.Raja Contractor Proprietor Concern, Rep by its Sole Proprietor, S.Raja, Office at No.1/22, Main Road, Mazhavarayanallur, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu. Petitioner(s) Vs 1. Piyush Goyal, I.A.S., Secretary to the Government, Ministry of Coal and Mines, Union of India, New Delhi. 2.Indra Dev Narayan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd. (MECL), Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Bhavan, Seminary Hills, Nagpur - 440 006, Maharashtra. 3.Divvali Santhosh Kumar, Buyer, Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd. (MECL) Dr.Baba Saheb Ambekdar Bhavan, Seminary Hills, Nagpur-440 006, Maharashtra. 4.K.Vanathu Antony, Project Manager, MECL, Sikkal Project, No.1/245, North Street, Near Bharat Mahal, Devipattinam, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. Contemnor(s) PRAYER Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents for wilful disobedience of the order dated 20.08.2025 in W.P. No.13383 of 2025 and punish the respondents in accordance with law. For Petitioner(s): Mr.P.R.Thiruneelakandan For Contemnor(s): Mr.M.Ramamoorthi Central Government Senior Panel Counsel