WP(C) No. 528 of 2026 Contd.../- IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL WP(C) No. 528 of 2026 M/S Zenith Enterprise, having its Branch Office at MG Avenue, P.O. & P.S. Imphal through its Proprietor namely Johnson Keishing, aged about 61 years old, S/o (L) Miba Keishing, a permanent resident of Marung Lane, New Checkon, P.O. & P.S. Porompat, Imphal East District, Manipur – 795002. … Petitioner -Versus- 1. The Food Corporation of India through the Chairman & Managing Director, 16/20 Barakhamba Lane, New Delhi – 110001. 2. Executive Director (NE), Food Corporation of India, Zonal Office, North East, Ulubari, Guwahati, Assam – 781007. 3. The Deputy General Manager (R), Food Corporation of India, Regional Office, Manipur, Old Assembly Complex, Imphal, Manipur – 795001. … Respondents B E F O R E HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AHANTHEM BIMOL SINGH For the petitioner :: Mr. H.S. Paonam, Sr. Advocate asstd. by Mr. Langei Laishram, Advocate For the respondents :: Mr. W. Darakishwor, Sr. Panel Counsel Date of hearing & order :: 21-07-2026 IN. 12 SHOUGRAKPAM DEVANANDA SINGH Digitally signed by SHOUGRAKPAM DEVANANDA SINGH Date: 2026.07.21 17:47:01 +05'30' WP(C) No. 528 of 2026 Contd.../- O R D E R [1] Heard Mr. H.S. Paonam, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. Langei Laishram, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr. W. Darakishwor, learned senior panel counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents. [2] In view of the limited prayer made on behalf the petitioner and as agreed to by both the counsel appearing for the parties, the present writ petition is being disposed of at the Motion stage. [3] At the outset, the learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the respondents have issued a Notice dated 01-07-2026 inviting online tender through e-tender in two Bid tendering system (Technical Bid and Price Bid) on Government e-Marketplace portal through registered Service Category of “Goods Transport Services-Per MT basis” for transportation of foodgrains /allied materials, etc. from RH Khongsang to FCI FSD Sangaiprou via Weighbridge on regular basis for a period of two years. As per the said NIT, online tender submission starts from 01-07-2026 and last date of submission is 22-07-2026. [4] The learned senior counsel fairly submitted that in connection with an earlier contract work of the respondents, which was to be executed by the present petitioner, the petitioner has been debarred from participating in any contract work of the respondents for a period of two years. The petitioner has challenged the said order by filing a separate writ petition and the same is still pending. The learned senior -2- WP(C) No. 528 of 2026 Contd.../- counsel submitted that the petitioner will be satisfied for the time being if the present writ petition is disposed of by directing the respondents to allow the petitioner to submit his Bids in response to the aforementioned NIT dated 01-07-2026 by giving liberty to the respondents to consider his Bids in accordance with the terms and conditions of the NIT. [5] Mr. W. Darakishwor, learned senior panel counsel appearing for the respondents fairly submitted that the respondents have no objection in allowing the petitioner to submit his Bids, despite the earlier termination order in connection with another contract work, subject to the condition that the respondents be given liberty to consider the Bids submitted by the present petitioner strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions of the said NIT. [6] Considering the above submissions made by the learned counsel appearing for the parties, this court is of the considered view that it will serve the interests of justice to issue the following directions:- (i) The petitioner is given liberty to submit his Bids in response to the said NIT dated 01-07-2026 despite the earlier termination order and penalty imposed upon the petitioner in respect of another contract work; (ii) In the event of submitting such Bids by the petitioner, the respondents are at liberty to consider the same strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions incorporated in the abovementioned NIT and to take a decision thereof; -3- WP(C) No. 528 of 2026 Contd.../- (iii) It is made clear that the aforesaid directions have been issued without touching upon the merit of this writ petition. With the aforesaid directions, the present writ petition is disposed of. JUDGE Devananda -4-