CENTRAL COALFIEDS LIMITED vs SLL-SML (JOINT VENTURE CONSORTIUM) .

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Jharkhand High Court, affirming that a bid submitted without a bank guarantee in the prescribed format is non-responsive as per Clause 15.2 of the General Terms and Conditions governing the bidding process. The Court clarified that the requirement for a bank guarantee is essential for the validity of the bid, thereby reinforcing the importance of compliance with tender conditions. The appeals by Central Coalfields Limited and PLR-RPL-SMASL were dismissed, maintaining the High Court's order to accept the bid of SLL-SML.