1986 (2) TMI 348 - HC - Income Tax

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Arbitrariness of the Impugned Decision
2. Legal Mala Fides
3. Legal Perspective of Joint Venture Liabilities
4. Guidelines and Directions of the World Bank
5. Judicial Review of Administrative Action

Issue-Wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Arbitrariness of the Impugned Decision:
The petitioners contended that the decision to refuse their pre-qualification was arbitrary. The authorities allegedly failed to apply the correct criteria, ignored World Bank directions, misunderstood the legal liabilities of joint venture partners, and did not seek further necessary information. The court found that the authorities did not properly consider the joint venture's legal liabilities and misdirected themselves by focusing on the internal division of responsibilities rather than the joint and several liabilities of the co-venturers. The authorities' failure to call for clarifications, despite being required to do so, rendered the decision unreasonable and arbitrary.

2. Legal Mala Fides:
The petitioners argued that the decision was vitiated by legal mala fides, as it was based on extraneous grounds not germane to the criteria for pre-qualification. The authorities' reliance on the joint venture agreement's silence about the specific percentage of financial participation was deemed insufficient for treating the application as non-responsive. The court held that the authorities acted unreasonably by not seeking clarifications and by failing to consider the relevant materials furnished by the petitioners, thereby vitiating the decision.

3. Legal Perspective of Joint Venture Liabilities:
The court emphasized the legal concept of joint ventures, highlighting that joint ventures are recognized entities with joint and several liabilities for performance of construction contracts. The authorities misdirected themselves by not appreciating this legal perspective and by focusing on the internal division of responsibilities between the joint venture partners. The court reiterated that internal agreements between joint venture members are not effective vis-`a-vis third parties, and all members are jointly and severally liable for the execution of the works.

4. Guidelines and Directions of the World Bank:
The World Bank had suggested that joint ventures with capable partners should be pre-qualified if they indicate joint and several responsibility for the execution of the works. The authorities failed to follow this guideline and did not seek further information or clarifications from the petitioners, as suggested by the World Bank. The court found that the authorities' failure to adhere to these guidelines and directions contributed to the unreasonableness and arbitrariness of the decision.

5. Judicial Review of Administrative Action:
The court reiterated the principles of judicial review of administrative action, emphasizing that the decision must be reasonable, rational, and made in good faith. The authorities must consider all relevant factors and exclude irrelevant considerations. The court found that the authorities' decision was perverse and influenced by irrelevant considerations, justifying judicial interference. The court concluded that the authorities acted unreasonably by not seeking clarifications and by failing to apply the correct legal criteria.

Conclusion:
The petition was allowed, and the impugned decision was quashed. The court directed the respondents to treat the joint venture of the petitioners as provisionally pre-qualified to bid for the works, subject to necessary organizational re-arrangements or legal commitments. The rule was made absolute with no order as to costs.