RELIANCE AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT. LTD. v. . AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA AND ORS.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by D ARIJIT PASAYAT, J. Challenge in this appeal is to the judgment of a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court. Decision taken by a group of Ministers in a matter of joint venture partnership as a part of the privatization policy of the Government of India was assailed before the High Court.

According to the appellant, the project has to be grounded because of E several major defects which would render the project, take off disastrous. The.respondents on the other hand contend that minor technical flaws, if any, have been rectified before the ultimate decision was taken and the project has been rightly held to be in a fit condition to take off.

F The key players in this dispute are M/s Reliance Airports Developers Pvt. Ltd. (in short 'RAL'); Airports Authority of India (in short 'AAI'), Government of .India (in short 'GOI'), GMR Infrastructures Ltd. (in short 'GMR'), GVK Industries Ltd. (in short 'GVK').

Background facts sans unnecessary details are as follows: G As a part of the GOl'S avowed policy of privatization of strategic national assets, the first step appears to be privatization of two airports i.e. Mumbai and Delhi on a joint venture basis. In March, 2003 AAI initiated process to consider modernization· of Delhi and Mumbai Airports on the basis of an earlier decision taken on January 12, 2000 by the Union Cabinet H relating to re-structuring of airports of AAI through long term leasing route.

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On 11.9.2003 the GOI approved restructuring of airports of Mumbai and A Delhi through joint venture (shortly called 'JV') route and constituted Empowered Group of Ministers (in short 'EGOM') to decide the detailed modalities including design parameters, bid evaluation criteria etc. based on which JV partners were to be selected. It was required to submit the final proposal for Governments approval. An Inter Ministerial Group (in short B 'IMG') was set up to assist EGOM for re-structuring of two airports. The same was set up under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary-cum-Financial Adviser of Ministry of Civil Aviation. Subsequently, on 15.6.2004, EGOM was ·re-constituted under the Chairmanship of Minister of Defence. On 12.10.2004 IMG was re-constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. On the basis of recommendations made by IMG, C EGOM approved appointment of Global Technical Adviser, Legal Consultant and Financial Consultant (called GTA, LC and FC in short respectively). They were Airport Planning Ply Ltd., Amarchand, Mangaldas and Suresh A. Shroff and Co. and ABN AMRO Asia Corporate Finance (I) Pvt. Ltd (in short Airplan, AMSC and ABN AMRO respectively). The Consultants D prepared thelnvitation To Register An Expression of Interest (shortly called 'ITREOI') and the same was endorsed by IMG. Subsequently, EGOM approved the same. On 17.2.2004, ITREOI was issued for the two airports. Request for proposal was routed by AAI and the bidders were invited to bid on certain basis and pattern. The tendering process involved two tiers; i.e. an Expression Cum Request for Qualification (in short 'ECRQ') and a Request E, for Proposal (in short 'RFP'). At the RFP stage, evaluation was carried out in four stages. The first two stages involved verification in the nature of mandatory norms. The third stage was technical evaluation stage and the final stage was financial evaluation stage. On 15.2.2005, EGOM finalized and approved key principles of RFP and draft transaction documents. The F RFP documents were issued on 1.4.2005.

Certain changes to the draft transaction documents were approved by EGOM. Before such approval, RFP documents of the two airports were forwarded to the bidders. On 30.8.2005 final transaction documents were forwarded to the bidders. The deadline for submissions of bids was fixed as G 14.9.2005. There were in fact six bidders for Delhi and five bidders for Mumbai. On 19.9.2005, a meeting of IMG was held relating to methodology for evaluation of offers and evaluation criteria in RFP documents. IMG decided that bid evaluation on all parameters shall be carried out by a composite team of GTA, LC and FC. IMG also decided to set up a review committee to H

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A review the evaluation carried out by GTA, LC and FC. The same was also described as an Evaluation Committee (in short 'EC').

The technical bids were opened on 22.9.2005. On 10.10.2005 Government Review Committee (in short 'GRC') was co11stituted to undertake an independent review of evaluation report of bids of two airports and re- B structuring process prepared by the Evaluation Committee/Advisers. The Consultants submitted their evaluation report. GRC held its meeting on 23.11.2005 and 24.11.2005 to review the Consultants' Evaluation Rep0rts. GRC endorsed the views expressed in the Consultants' Evaluation Reports. Certain queries were raised by members of the GRC and the Consultants C clarified the position so far as the queries are concerned. In the Evaluation Report a list of evaluation criteria where a different approach has been adopted · by the Consultants was indicated. On 1.12.2005, GRC submitted its report to IMG. In the meeting of IMG held on 2.12.2005 reports of Consultants and GRC were placed. ~onsultants made a representation to the IMG. The majority members felt that the terms of the RFP had been adhered to and there had D been sufficient transparency in the process. It is to be. noted that one of the members who was the member of the Planning Commission had recorded his personal opinion. Majority of the members of the Committee felt that if the entire bid process was transparent and GRC was satisfied with the process it would not be necessary to go by the advise of the member of the Planning. E Commission and the final decision should be left to the EGOM. The matter was placed before the EGOM on 5.12.2005. EGOM directed IMG to undertake an independent review of the Consultants' evaluation with GRCs assistance and give a clear recommendation to EGOM. It was noted that the bid documents could be made available to the IMG and they could seek clarification from the Consultants. It was felt that there was no need for change in the evaluation criteria as stipula~ed in the RFP documents. It was stipulated that IMG would not undertake any fresh evaluation or allocate marks for any of the criteria and finally the mandate of IMG will be restricted to ascertain as to whether it is in agreement or otherwise with the assessment/ findings and allocation of marks across various criteria in respect of various bids. IMG was required to complete the exercise in two weeks. Oil 6.12.2005 a meeting of the IMG was held. Bid documents were shown to the members of the lMG. Another meeting was held on 9.12.2005 and the Consultants were directed to re-work the marks matrix by striet adherence to RFP norms. On foar days i.e. 12th, 13th, 14th and 16th December, 2005 meeting of IMG was held. In the meeting queries were raised by IMG members as to whether evaluation was consistent with the RFP evaluation criteria and the answers

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given by the Consultants. On 20.12.2005 RAL wrote to the Chairman, EGOM A criticizing the SKYTRAX Repor:t and denying that Consultants acted in an improper/biased manner or that the technical evaluation conducted by the Consultants was flawed. RAL wrote another letter on the same day to the EGOM pointing out its alliance with international players.

On 21.l2.2005 EGOM metto consider the views of the IMG. It decided B that a Committee of Secretaries (in short 'COS') should be set up to advise the EGOM on all issues relating to the restructuring and modernization of the two airports. The COS was required to consider and recommend the selection of appropriate JV bidders for executing the works related thereto. The COS was set up by order dated 21.12.2005 to assist the EGOM. It met and decided C : to set up two members Committee consisting of Mr. Sreedharan & Mr. Sevadasan (hereinafter described as Sreedharan Committee or Group of Eminent Technical Experts (in short 'GETE') to recommend to the COS on the overall validation of the evaluation process including calibration of the ·qualifying cut off and sensitivity analysis. 'GETE' was accordingly appointed , to review the Consultants, Evaluation Report (in short 'CER') on 27 .12.2005. D ; RAL wrote to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (in short 'MCA') asking that ! copies of its letters dated 20.12.2005 be forwarded to the GETE.

' ABN AMRO wrote a letter regarding clarification sought by MCA on ' determination of bids attached to the criteria used in the technical · prequalification of bidders for the two airports. GETE submitted its report on E . 7.1.2006. A meeting of the COS was held on 9.1.2006. On 12.1.2006 a .: meeting of EGOM was held where GETE's report was considered. EGOM ' felt that the GETE had apparently done the evaluation of all the bidders as is evident from the conclusion drawn about status of the other bidders in para 4.8 of its report. No details of revaluation were available about the. other F bidders, as have been provided in respect of RAL. EGOM therefore decided that in order to reach a definite conclusion, GETE was to be requested fo do a similar revaluation exercise in respect of other bidders. Supplementary report of GETE was submitted on 17. l.2006. On 23. l.2006 RAL Airport Operator wrote to the GOI asserting that it had the requisite qualification. On 24.1.2006 meeting of EGOM was held and several decisions were taken. On G 28.1.2006 RAL wrote to GOI asking it to adhere to the RFP norms. On 30.1.2006 AAI wrote to the bidders informing them that the final bids were to be opened on January 31, 2006.

On 31.1.2006 Executive Director of AAI informed RAL that GMR H

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A would be given a choice of the two airports and whichever airport w'Chooses, it would be required to match the higher financial bid. On that 'day itself, RAL wrote to the AAI alleging change of procedure and protesting against the same. Later on, the financial bids were opened that day. A report was submitted by the Committee opening the financial bids. RAL again wrote to B the members of the EGOM alleging illegalities in consideration of the bids. On the next day again RAL wrote to the members of the EGOM regarding the events that had transpired during the opening of bids. AAI wro~e to RAL setting out the procedure followed while opening and evaluating the financial bids.

·C Writ Petition was filed by RAL before the Delhi High Court on 2.2.2006. On 4.2.2006 GO! informed GMR and GVK that they have been selected as successful bidders for undertaking the restructuring and modernization of the . Delhi and Mumbai airports respectively and required them to furnish enhanced bid bonds guarantees for Rs.500 crores. Both GMR and GVK furnished their b.id bonds guarantees of Rs.500 crores each on 6.2.2006 and 8.2.2006. D On 1.3.2006 Special Purpose Vehicle (in short 'SPY') was formed for Delhi while on the next day SPY was formed for the. Mumbai airport. On 4.4.2006 Operations Management and Development Agreement (in short 'OMDA') was signed by the concerned parties. At this stage, it would be appropriate to take note of what has been described as OMDA. Shareholders E agreement with GMR and GVK was signed. Consequently 26% shares in SPY were allotted to AAI and 74% shares allotted to GMR. Similarly, 26% shares in SPY were allotted to AAI and 74% shares allotted to GVK. ·

By the impugned order, RAL's writ petition before the Delhi High F Court was dismissed by orde.r dated 21.4.2006.

The primary stand of the appellant is that the EGOM/GOI should have accepted the recommendations of the EC and should not ha".e asked the GETE to make further examination. It is submitted that GETE did not examine the queries relating to GMR as raised by the !MG and the reduction of G technical qualification from 80% to 50% was imp~rmissible. It is also submitted that the appointment of GETE itself was illegal and unauthorized. The High Court proceeded on the basis as if EGOM had absolute discretion in the matter of choosing the modalities. It is also submitted that the, uniform patte~ of assessment has not been done and while reducing the marks so far as the appellant is concerned, similar procedure has not been adopted so far as H

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GMR and GVK are concerned. In the initial assessment, only the GMR and the appellant had crossed the bench mark. If in respect of one airport GMR was given the option of matching the financial bid of the appellant, in respect of the other airport similar option should have been given to the appellant who was at the relevant point of time and even now willing to match the, financial bid of GVK. There was no justification for reduction of standard, from 80% to 50%, particularly when at all stages EGOM had emphasized. that there shall not be any compromise with quality. The argument that any bidder who had crossed the mandatory requirement stage would be competent to execute the contract is completely erroneous since in that case there was no need to fix the high bench mark of 80%. Appellant had scored over 80% on the development side and fell short of merely 6% less than 80% on the management side. The award of contract to the third ranked bidder i.e. GVK who had scored only 59% on the development side and whose bid had been adversely commented upon by all committees is against public interest. The bench mark of 80% had been approved by the EGOM. The EC expressly recommended against lowering the bench mark and the EGOM in its meeting on 5.12.2005 had also wanted the bench mark to remain at 80%. GETE had also not recommended lowering of the bench mark.

The constitution of GETE was without jurisdiction as it was outside the RFP. Allegations made by the respondents in the arguments that EC was "t biased are not factually correct. As noted above, GETE was not competent to deal with the issues relating to airports and, therefore, it was not a competent body to express any view. GETE's evaluation of appellants bid was wrong and it should not have interfered with EC's evaluation. Different weightages were justified in case for criteria 1.2.2 and 1.2.3 and also in respect of criteria 3.1.l and 3.1.2. GETE's view as regards non aeronautical revenue being less than 40% is not correct. Its view about the lack of experience of operating in a non-OECD country is also erroneous. The marking system for absorption of AAI employees as done in the case of the appellant has been wrongly interfered with.

Appellant has contended that EC has given marks on the basis of RFP parameters. According to it, the parameters were fixed by the GOI or the EC. G· The que~tion is not of allotting marks, the real issue is whether right parameters have been applied. It has been emphasized that the other Committees consisted. of mainly bureaucrats or persons with inadequate technical knowledge, only the EC was an expert body and, therefore, its view had to be given primacy. H

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> A GMR had qualified in both the bids. Appellant has contended that the option of choosing one of the airports should not have been given to GMR but it should have been allotted the Mumbai airport because of its superior quality of bid in respect of the said airport. By giving option to choose one of the airports, the fate of the appellant was sealed because in the other, it had fallen below the bench mark. Though in one case, appellant's Qid was above the bench mark and its bid was the best amongst those who were below the bench mark in respect of the other airport, it has not been able to get any of the airports.

Despite the specific mandate GETE had not examined the queries qua the other bidders. Objective criteria assessment which was the foundation for GETE's decision has no basis. In fact GETE itself had indicated that the. assessment was subjective in totality. By making an artificial distinction between the subjective and objective queries, the real essence has been lost and unacceptable yardsticks have been applied. Queries made by members of the Review Committee, comments of the EC, comments of the Planning D Commission's representatives and the various queries raised by IMG have been either lightly brushed aside or not considered by the GETE. The decision . for lowering of technical standard was arbitrary. EGOM should have examined the conflicting reports given by the experts. Since no reason has been given by EGOM to adopt the report of the GETE by giving its preference over the E report of EC, same cannot be maintained. Report of GETE was not independently examined. By reducing the bench mark, the zone of consideration was enlarged and it was against public interest Since different yardsticks have been adopted and a partisan approach has been adopted, the decision is clearly unsustainable and is amenable to judiciai review. Selective examination by GETE is not bona fide though no personal. allegation of ma/a F fide is made against the members of GETE. Adoption of technical criteria for one airport and financial criteria for the other is not in accordance with law.

In response, learned counsel for the GMR, GVK, Union of India and the AAI have submitted that the appellant is trying to enlarge the scope of judicial review. It is not a case of non existence of power. It essentially relates to exercise of power. The appellant is trying to contend that the report of EC was sacrosanct and GETE's report was not to be accepted. GETE has formed its view as to how the allotment of marks made by EC was clearly not in line with the prescription made in the RFP. Marks have been allotted by EC on irrational basis and even marks had been awarded when no marks were to be awarded. Even the EC while commenting upon the weaknesses of

RELi. AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT. LTD. v. AIRPORTS AUTH.OF INDIA [PASAYAT, J.J4 J 5

the airport development plan of GMR itself had said that the weaknesses would be sorted out at the stage when the master plan is drawn up. It is pointed out that EC on whose evaluation appellant has led great stress found only one flaw with the plan given by GVK i.e. lack of re-use of existing facilities and the high cost limits to assess it as medium. This is really a non- factor, according to learned counsel for GVK, because plan envisages fresh creation of assets at Mumbai airport whose existing buildings are out-dated. 13 It is characterized as a lack of reuse as well as involving high costs. It is pointed out that GVK's develcpment plan took note of much larger amount of fresh development of assets considering that the existing buildings are out- dated. It has also considered that large sum of money for rehabilitation of the slum dwellers is required as they would have to be re-housed if a realistic C plan for expansion of facilities and runways was to be drawn up. The development in each of the phases of the 20 years of projected development was also a relevant factor. There was departure by EC from the norms in various cases without good reasons. Where there is such departure it shows arbitrariness. This is a case which relates to judicial review of the exercise of power and not the existence of power. D It is pointed out that the basic fallacy in the argument of the appellant is its stress on EC being the only advisor to assist the EGOM in arriving at a decision. It is submitted that as rightly observed by the High Court, it was a part of multiitier decision making process and appointment of GETE is a E' part of the process. It is pointed out that though the appellant has challenged the constitution of GETE, it, in uncertain terms, asked the GETE to assess the materials placed before it by the appellant. The EGOM has given rea~ons for the appointment of GETE.

The EC was not designated in the RFP as an external expert agency on p whose evaluation the Government was obliged to act. In fact at the first stage itself GRC was constituted to review the evaluation done by EC. The report of EC had no binding effect on the IMG much less the EGOM. The AAI required permission from the Cabinet for privatization of airports. The ultimate decision makirig authority was EGOM. However, since the decision making process involvt>d inputs from series of 'in house' committees, this creation of G GETE is in fact a part of 'in house mechanism'. This itself is clear from the fact that several Committees were constituted like EC, GRC, IMG and COS. In view of the existence of various tiers in the decision making process, EGOM who has delegated the power of Cabinet did not exceed the powers by setting up the committees. If the appellant's submission is accepted, even H

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A the GRC, IMG and COS being not the committees mentioned specifically in the RFP, their constitution would be vulnerable. This is certainly not a case of the appellant and these were not external agencies. These committees form part of the 'in-house mechanism' for evaluation of the bids. Their reports were to be used as inputs in the final decision making process and thus imparted a great deal of transparency. Judicial review cannot involve evaluation of the comparative merits.

It has also been emphasized that the various discussions in the Committees established beyond doubt that the Union of India wanted a transparent process to be adopted considering the fact that this was a first case of private JV. It enabled the EGOM to take note of various view points and take the final decision. These discussions strengthened the decision making process and did not weaken it as contended by the appellant. It has also been submitted that .the conduct of the appellant is itself contrary to the norms fixed by the RFP. Though it was specifically indicated that there shall not be any contract with the authorities connected with the decision making process, several times appellant wrote letters relating to matters which were under consideration. It baffles one as to how the appellant had knowledge as to what had transpired in the meetings. It was conveniently mentioned that the source of appellant's knowledge was "newspaper reports". The appellant therefore has clearly violated the norms fixed by RFP and on ·that ~core alone, its bid should have been kept out of consideration. A person who seeks relief on r.quitable ground should have clean conduct and surreptitious methods adopted by it cannot be condoned and this, according to learned counsel for the respondents, is an additional factor to dismiss the appeal filed by the appellant.

p It appears that whatever has been discussed in the various meetings apparently found its way outside. Who was responsible for the leak is not very clear but it is not a very healthy trend. The meetings were highly confidential and sensitive in nature dealing with global tenders.

Various clauses of RFP which have relevance read as follows: G l. INTRODUCTION

l: l. Purpose of this RFP

The purpose of this Document is to: H

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* Provide an overview of the process for Stage 2 of the restructuring A and modernization of Mumbai Airport Transaction;

* Specify the terms and procedures governing the transaction process for selecting Joint Venture Partners and for the Joint Venture Company (JVC) to be incorporated for the Airport;

* Specify the requirements for the preparation and lodgement of B. binding offers and

* Outline the approach that will be used in evaluating Binding Offers.

Terms used in this RFP are defined in the Glossary section of this RFP. C 1.2. Other Documentation and Information

In addition to this RFP, Pre Qualified Bidders (PQB) will be issued the following documentation and material:

An Information Memorandum for the Airport; D * * Draft Transaction Documents for the Airport (open for discussions before finalising the terms and conditions);

* Specialist Reports and AAI data substantially in CD ROM form with some documents in hard copy form for the Airport. E AAI may choose to update, vary or add to all or some of this information (including this RFP) at any time during the Transaction process.

A separate document will be provided to PQB outlining the times, dates and venues of their scheduled meetings with the AAI, the Airport management F team and parties of the GTT, as relevant and necessary.

1.3. Confidentiality

PQB receiving this RFP must have completed and returned the required, duly executed Confidentiality Deed. G PQB are reminded that information provided in this RFP and the accompanying documentation package is covered by the terms of the Confidentiality Deed and the Disclaimer set out herein. PQB are also reminded that they are not to make any public statements about the Transaction process H

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A or their participation in it.

1.4. The Transaction

AAI is offering a long term Operations, Management and Development Agreement to suitably qualified, experienced and resourced parties to design, B construct, operate, maintain, upgrade, modernize, finance, manage and develop the Airport. The Successful Bidder will partkipate in a Joint Venture Company with the AAI (and other GOI public sector entities) and such JVC shall be awarded the right to operate, manage and develop the Airport.

An overview of the indicative Transaction structure is set out in C Appendix G.

The key features of the Transaction are as follows:

* The Operations, Management and Development Agreement wilJ be for an initial period of30 years with the JVC having the right D to extend this by a further 30 years, i!l acc.ordance with the terms and conditions of the Transaction Documents.

* The Successful Bidder will have an initial 74% equity interest and AA!, along with other GOI Public Sector Entities, will have 26% equity interest in the JVC. E * AAI will endeavor to contribute (without any binding commitment) equity funds in cash in proportion to its equity share to assist the JVC in funding working capital and major developments upto a cap of Rs.5000 million (Rupees five thousand million) for the Airport. It is AAI's intention to maintain F 26% equity share capital in the JVC.

* If AAI along With other GOI Public Sector Entities does not wish to contribute to further equity calls, the JV Partners will contribute the additional equity and the equity interest, of AAI and other GOI Public Sector En~ities will be correspondingly G reduced but the voting rights with regard to reserved board and shareholder matters {as contained in the Shareholders Agreement) will be preserved in the manner set forth in the Shareholders Agreement.

* JVC will have an Employee Arrangement for a period of three years whereby AAI employees (other than those pertaining to H

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ATC and CNS departments) posted at the Airport on Effective Date continue to provide their services at the Airport. Further the A

JVC will be required, during the three years period to make offers of employment in order to absorb a minimum of 40% (or such higher percentage as committed by the Bidder) of the existing AAI employees working at the Airport excepting those engaged in Communication Navigation Surveillance (CNS), Air Traffic B Management (ATM), Security, as reduced for retirements, resignations, transfers and death. Employment offers can be made at any time during this Employee Arrangement Period but in no event later than three (3) months prior to the end date of the Employee Arrangement Period. At the end of this Employee C Arrangement Period those employees who do not take up the employment offers or who are not made such an employment offer will return to the services of AAI. Additional weightage is provided in the evaluation process to Bidders who commit to make offers of employment in order to absorb more than the minimum level of 40%. There will be a financial penalty, as set out in the OMDA, for any shortfall between the 40% or such higher nominated percentage and the result actually achieved. Due to the public and economic importance of the Airport a State Support Agreement will be entered into between the JVC and GOI. The State Support Agreement will address matters such as principles of economic regulation, approvals, assistance with licensing and coordination with government agencies. Under the State Support Agreement, the JVC for a specific Airport will have a "Right of First Refusal (ROFR)" with regard to the second airport in the vicinity (except in the case of a proposed new airport in/for Pune) on the basis of a competitive bidding process, in which the JVC can also participate. In the event, the JVC is not the successful bidder, the JVC will have the ROFR by matching the first ranked bid in terms of the selection criteria for the second airport, provided the JVC has satisfactory performance without any material default at the time of exercising the ROFR. G It is the endeavour of the AAI/GOI that a State Government' Support Agreement will be entered into with the State Government of Maharashtra wherein the said State Government will provide assistance on a best endeavour basis on dealing with encroachments, reservation of land for settlement of H

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encroachments and .assistance in making land available if required for aeronautical purposes, surface land transport access to the Airport, expediting - applicable clearances and the provisions, where applicable, of essential utility services. However, bidders should note that the exact form of the State Government Support Agreement and contents thereof will be decided upon receipt of feedback from the said State Government. Upon receipt offeedback from the said State Government and finalization of form and contents of the State Government Support Agreement, the same will be provided to Pre- Qualified Bidders .

. The JVC for the Airport will have a lease over the land and assets (with certain exclusions which are not limited only to carve out assets listed in the schedule to the Lease Deed) of the Airport for the tenure of the OMDA.

The NC will enter into separate MOUs with various agencies such as Customs, immigration, Health and Plant and Animal Quarantine to deal with issues relating to space, performance standards, facilitation/coordination mechanism.

The NC will be required to prepare a Master Plan for the development, expansion and modernization of the Airport, covering a time period of 20 years as well as the ultimate vision of the Airport at full aeronautical development and to submit th~s for approval of MCA within the stipuiated time frame as outlined in the Transaction Documents. The Master Plan has to be consistent with the Initial Development Plan submitted as part of the Binding Offer. Thereafter, the NC will be required to update the Master Plan every ten years (or upon occurrence of certain traffic trigger events or as and when circumstances warrant). In addition, each major development requires the preparation and approval of a Major Development Plan setting out the proposed details of the development.

The Airport, in recognition of its natural monopoly position, will be subjected to economic regulatory measures. The reg_ulatory authority or the GOI (until such regulatory authority is in place) will set a price cap for aeronautical charges and will be entitled to impose other standards.

Over the tenure of the OMDA, the Joint Venture Company will pay both a nominal lease rental and a fee (consisting of an upfront fee of Rs.1,500 million (Rupees one thousand five hundred million) and an annual fee expressed as a percentage of gross revenue of the Airport) for the right to operate, manage and develop the Airport. The fee will be calculated annually in

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advance on projected revenue, paid monthly and with an adjustment at the end of each quarter to reflect any difference between actual and projected revenue. Revenue for this purpose shall mean all pre-tax gross revenue of JVC, excluding the following: (a) payments made by JVC, if any, for the activities undertaken by Relevant Authorities; (b) Insurance proceeds except insurance indemnification for loss of revenue; (c) any amount that accrues to JVC from sale of any capital assets or items, (d) Payments and/or monies collected by'JVC for and on behalf of any governmental authorities under applicable law. It is clarified that annual fee payable to AAI and Employee Arrangement costs payable to AAI shall not be deducted from revenue,

2Copy pinpoint2. GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES, REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATION C 2.1 Key Strategic Objectives

Key strategic objectives of the GOI are:

World class development and expansion: D Ensure world class phased development and expansion such that the JVC meets its commitments through the timely provision of high quality airport infrastructure, on both the airside and landside, to meet growing demand; and

World class airport management: E

Ensure the creation of world class airport management team and systems through the selection of serious, committed Successful Bidders with suitable operational expertise, managerial and financial capability, Financial commitment and the commitment to provide quality airport services, in order to transform F the present Airport into world class international airport.

2.2. Other Transaction Objectives

In addition to the key strategic objectives, other Transaction objective include: G Timely completion end certainty of Transactions, with minimal residual risks.

Appropriate financial consideration for the right to operate, manage and develop the airport. H

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A Smooth transition of operations from AAI to JVC.

Appropriate regulation - achieving economic regulation of aeronautical assets that is fair, commercially and economically appropriate, transparent, predictable, consistent and stable while protecting the interests of users and ensuring that the Airports are operated and developed in accordance with world standards;

Fair and equitable treatment of AAI employees, including preservation of accrued entitlements.

Diversity of ownership between Mumbai and Delhi Airports, to enhance competition, encourage innovation and allow competitive benchmarking, and

Ensure satisfaction on the part of passengers and airlines by the provision of quality services· and the provision of State-of-the-art facilities. D The GOI's key strategic and other Transaction objectives will provide the means of establishing the bid evaluation criteria.

2.3. Management and Development Requirements

E Reflecting the focus on the strategic objectives, Bidders will be required to present as part of their Binding Offer a fully detailed Business Plan and Initial Development Plan, as well as a Transition Plan and certain other documents. Tliese documents will be an important element in the selection of the Successful Bidder for the Airport.

·p TERM OF REFERENCE

1.0. Scope of work I.I. The scope of work for the FINANCIAL CONSULTANT shall consist of the following: G a Updating of the traffic, financial, commercial and operational data pertaining to the two airports; b. Organizing Road Shows in India and/or abroad, if required; c. Preparation of the Request for Expression of interest. (RFEOI), Request for Proposal · (RFP), draft concession agreement, draft H

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Joint venture agreement and all other necessary project A documentation. d. Determining the pre-qualification criteria, technical and financial evaluation criteria which will include formulation and analysis of various options along with the recommended approach in respect of the same; B e. Evaluation of Expressions of Interests and Technical and Financial proposals received. f. Organizing and managing interactions and communications with the potential bidders; c g. Negotiation assistance together with other advisors to AAI in successfully concluding the transaction; h. Work closely with AAI on overall coordination and management of various aspects of the transaction; i Any other work as may be i:equired for the successful completion D of the transaction,

Glossary

Words and phrases used in the document have the meaning set out below. E AAI Airports Authority of India

Airport Operator - The Entity in the Consortium submitting the Binding Offer who has been identified as such by the Bidder and who is assessed for the necessary qualifications for operating, F managing and developing a major international airport which seeks to provide airport management services to the Joint Venture Company.

Financial Consultant ABN AMRO Asia Corporate Finance (I) Pvt. G or Ltd. being the financial adviser to the ABNAMRO Transaction.

Foreign Airline(s) Means a Foreign Entity that provides air transport services. H

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A GTA or Global The technical adviser, to AAI advising on Technical Adviser or the technical aspects in relation to this Airplan Transaction, being Airport Planning Ply Ltd. (Airplan). Initial Development The Development Plan submitted by the B Plan Bidder(s) an part of their Offer which sets out "plans over a calmed period for the development of the Airport to meet traffic growth as per the terms hereof. ITREOI The Invitation to Register an Expression of c interest document issued by AAI in relation to ·tlie Transaction. Legal Consultant or The legal adviser to the Transaction, AMSS being Amarchand & Ma!lgaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co. •:..:..

D 5. EVALUATION OF STAGE 2 OFFERS

5.1 Overview of Evaluation Process

This section sets out the approach that will be applied by the AAI and its advisers when evaluating Offers. General Guidance in relation to the E relative importance of each of the criteria and certain tender requirements are set out below.

The approach to be followed will be undertaken in four phases as set out in summary form in the figure below:

Phase Explanation F

Any Bidder not meeting the mandatory requirement will have its Offer removed from further consideration. G Assessment of Phase 1 Mandatory Requirement

Clarification

H Debt and equity commitment

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as specified at Appendix A A is evaluated and Offers not· Assessment of meeting the requirement are , Phase 2 excluded from further Financial Commitment consideration ..

All remaining offers are Phase 2 assessed on technical Technical Pre- prequalification criteria and · C Qualifications only those assessed with technical pre-qualification on *Management Capability, each of the two criteria of Commitment and value 80% or more proceed to add Phase 4 D *Development Capability, Commitment and value add

The offer of the Bidder with highest Financial .E consideration for the Airport is selected as Successful Assessment of Bidder Phase 4 Financial Consideration F

5.2. Mandatory· Requirement

The Mandatory Requirements for Stage 2 Offers are as follows: G Mandatory Requirements for Stage 2 Offers

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A Confinnation of acceptance of final Transaction Documents Confinnation that the Networth criteria of the Bidder as per the requirement in the ITREOI document continues to be fulfilled

No Consortium member or Group Entity of a Consortium member or nominated Airport Operator is participating in more than one B Consortium bidding for the same Airport Consortium has an Airport Operator who has relevant and significant experience of operating, managing and developing airports.

c Confinn that the Offer is capable of acceptance anytime during the Bid Period

Confinn that the offer commits the Offeror to the mandatory capital projects and/the Initial Development Plan is in accord with the Development Planning. D Principles. and the Traffic Forecast (It is to be noted that Traffic Forecasts are only the Base level forecast) Equity Ownership in the Joint Venture Company by a Scheduled Airline and their Group Entities does not exceed 10% and there is no participation by any airline that is a Foreign Entity and their E Group Entities, subject to the exemption of group Entities that are existing airport operator. FDI in the JVC does not exceed 49% Minimum equity ownership by Indian Entities (other than AAI/ GOI public sector entities) in the NC is 25% F Provision of suitable probity and security statements Lodgement of Offer that incorporates all the material required as set out in Appendices A to E, inclusive, in this Document Submission of Bid Bond. G 5.4. Assessment of Technical Pre-Qualification

The Technical pre-qualification is based on two global pre-qualification criteria

•Management Capability, Commitment and Value Add H

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·Development Capability, Commitment and Value Add A Each of these is assessed in terms of a set of pre-qualification criteria and supporting pre-qualification factors that are detailed in the Section 5.6.

The purpose of the Technical Pre Qualification phase is to ensure that only those Bidders that can address the GOl's strategic objectives are evaluated B at the final phase of the evaluation process and that only Bidders satisfying the benchmark of 80% under the technical pre qualification requirements are allowed into the final phase of Evaluation.

A scoring system will be applied based on the assessment of the evaluation terms of the Offer against the Technical pre-qualification criteria. C Each of the two global pre-qualification criteria is assessed out of a possible l 00 marks. The assessment is on an absolute basis not relative as between the Offers. Hence there is no predetermined number of Offers that will be considered in the final phase.

5.6. Technical Pre-Qualification Criteria and Factors D This section sets out the pre-qualification criteria and pre-qualification factors that will be used to assess each of the two global pre-qualification factors.

Pre-Qualification Pre- Pre-Qualification E Criteria Qualification factors Criteria Weighting

F Global Technical Pre- (A) Management Capability, Qualification Commitment and Value Add Criteria: Sub Criteria: (i) Management Capability (a) Experience of the nominated 25 Each of the following to be supported G Airport Operator by documents case studies and relevant statistics (PAX and cargo statistics for each airport nominated) Number, scale and geographic diversity

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A of airports operated and managed by the airport operators with substantial domestic, international and cargo operations including specific role of the airport operator in respect of each of these operations B Experience in operating global or regional hub airports, including achieving improved connectivity. Track record in route and traffic c development and in managing relations with airlines and other key stakeholders. The level of service quality performance achieved at major airports managed by the Airport Operator and trends over the last 5 years. Experience if any, with operating a multi- airport system. The performance of commercial operations at major Airports managed by airport Operators, covering retai~ property and other commercial operations, focusing on airport where non- aeronautical revenue is 40% or more of total revenue.

F Performance i11 around and improving aeronautical and non-aeronautical operations at airports. Experience in operating and developing airports in non-OECD countries and a G track record in improved performance. Experience in proactive environmental monitoring, evaluation, planning and implementation of environmental systems and improvements. H

RELi. AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT.LTD. v. AIRPORTS AUTH.OF INDIA [PASAYAT, J.} 429

(b) Experience of 12.5 Commercial/retail experience A the other Prime Members Experience with major property (separately identifying and development experience with major evaluating Indian and non- infrastructure developments. Indian Prime Member experience Experience with handling ", on an equal weight basis). HR issues in ownership change situations. B Sub Criteria: (ii) Management Commitment (a) Commitment of 12.5 Level of equity commitment airport operator Performance based nature of the Airport Operator Agreement Experience and level of management c resources committed to the transaction , in each area of airport management including:

* Traffic and route development and marketing b * Aeronautical operations * Cargo handling * Slot management * Terminal operations * Airport Retail operations E * Airport Property operations ( * Environmental Management

(b) Commitment by 12.5 Experience and level of other Prime Members management resources committed by the F (separately identifying and other Prime Members in and non- evaluating Indian aeronautical operations and development Prime Members.

6.7. Variations to the RFP Q, AAl/GOI reserves the right, in its absolute discretion and at any stage, to cancel, add to or amend the information, terms, procedures and protocols set out in the RFP. PQB and Consortium member will have no claim against AAI with respect to the exercise, or failure to exercise, such rights. H

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A 6.12. Other AA/ rights: " AAl/GOI reserves the right in its absolute discretion without liability and at any stage during the Transaction-proces~, to: • • Add to, or remove parties from any shortlist of PQBs or-Bidders; f; B • Require additional information from any PQB or Bidders;

• Vary its tender requirements;

• Terminate further participation in the Transaction process for any PQB or Bidder;

c • Change the structure and timing of the Transaction process;

• Accept or reject any Offer at any time for any reason;

• Not provide PQBs or Bidders any reasons for any actions or decisions it may take including in respect of the exercise by the AAI of any or all of the above mentioned rights; and D • Take such other action as it considers, in its absolute discretion, appropriate in relation to the Transaction process for the Airport. xx xx xx

APPENDIX 'A' (Information to be included in offer) E xx xx xx I A. 7 Relevant Management Experience and Expertise

xx xx xx

F (c) In addition, please provide information on any experience that the airport operator has with turning around the performance of under performing airports and in the operation, management, development of major airports in developing countries and handling human resource management issues in ownership change situation, including privatization. G xx xx xx

A.11. Initial Development Plan

The Initial Development Plan must be prepared in conformity with the Airport Development Planning Principles set out in the Transaction Document, shall H incorporate the mandatory capital projects as set out in the Transaction

REL!. AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT.LTD. v. AIRPORTS AUTH.OF INDIA [PASAYA T, J.] 431

Documents and shall use the base Traffic Forecasts prepared by SH & E. A Where the PQB has a strong view that an alternative trafficforecast is significantly more likely to occur, it can indicate the implications for the timing of the implementation of the development plan.

The Offer should provide the following information in the initial Development Plan: B (a) A long-term airport development vision for year 20 and the ultimate vision for the Airport showing the following:

(i) The full configuration of the Airport identifying all aeronautical facilities and their operating capacity and all commercial development areas and their functions.

(ii) Information on traffic, passenger and cargo flows, both landside and airsicte.

(b) The development path for the Airport leading up to its long-term vision in year 20, shown in five (5) yearly stages for each functional area, namely airfield, apron, passenger terminals, cargo terminals, car parks, city side access roads and commercial area together with capital expenditure estimates. The development path should show the linkage of the development to traffic projections, with the indicated trigger points for both the commencement of the development and its E . completion.

(c) An outline of how the development path can be flexibly adjusted to accommodate both lower and higher traffic flows than the base projection used for Airport development planning.

(d) Set out how it is planned to fully maintain aeronautical operation during the development phase.

(e) Explain how key stakeholders will be involved during both the planning and implementation stages, including the preparation of the Master Plan, identifying issues that will need to be addressed and the approach to each issue .

.(t) Identify any constraints that will negatively impact on the Development Plan, explain the extent of the impact and any mitigating strategy proposed. · Pivotal challenge by the appellant is to the constitution of GETE and H

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A the scope for its constitution. It is to be noted that the ultimate authority to take the decision in the matter was EGOM. It was within the powers ofEGOM to decide as to what inputs it can take note of and the source of these inputs. Therefore, the necessity for taking views of various committees constituted appears to be a step in the right direction. This was a step which appears to have been taken for making the whole decision making process transparent. There was no question of having the view of one Committee in preference to another. EC was a Committee constituted as a part of the decision making process like other Committees viz. GRC, COS and IMG.

In the multi tier system in the decision making process the authority empowered to take a decision can accept the view expressed by one committee in preference to another for plausible reasons. It is not bound to accept the view of any committee. These committees, it needs no emphasis, are constituted to assist the decision making authority in arriving at the proper decision. It is a matter of discretion of the authority to modify the norms. It is not a case of absolute discretion. D While exercising the discretion, certain parameters are to be followed.

"Discretion" said Lord Mansfield in R. v. Wilkes, (1770) 4 Burr 2527, when applied to a court of justice, means sound discretion guided by law. It must be governed by rule, n<H by humour; it must not be arbitrary, vague and E fanciful but legal and regular. (See Craies Statute Law, 6th Edn. P. 273 and Ramji Dayawala & Sons (P) Ltd. v. Invest Import, [It::81] l SCC 80.

'Discretion' undoubtedly means judicial discretion and not whim, caprice or fancy of a Judge. (See Dhurandhar Prasad Singh v. Jai Prakash University - and Ors., [2001] 6 SCC 534. Lord Halsbury in Sharp v. Wakefield(1891) AC F 173 considered the word 'discretion' with reference t0 its exercise and held: 'Discretion' means when it is said that somet'.1ing is to be done within the discretion of the authorities that something is to be done according to the rules of reason and justice, not according to private opinion: (Rooke case, (1598) 5 Co. Rep. 99b, lOOa) according to law, and not humour. It is to be, not arbitrary, vague, and fanciful but legal and regular. And it must be exercised within the limit, to which an honest man competent to the discharge of his office ought to continue himself. (See Kumaon Manda! Vikas Nigam Ltd. v. Girja Shankar Pant and Ors., [2001] 1 SCC 182).

'Discretion' when aprlied to a court of justice, means sound discretion guided by law. It must be governed by rule, not by humour; it must not be

RELL AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT. LTD. v. AIRPORTSAUTH.OFINDIA [PASAYAT,J.J 433

arbitrary, vague and fanciful but legal and regular. A Though the word, 'discretion' literally means and denotes an uncontrolled power of disposal yet in law, the meaning given to this word appe2rs to be a power decide within the limits allowed by positive rules of law as to the punishments, remedies or costs. This would mean that even if B a person has a discretion to do something the said discretion has to be exercised within the limit allowed by positive rules of law. The literal meaning of the word 'discretion' therefore, unmistakably avoids untrammeled or uncontrolled choice and more positively pointed out at there being a positive control of some judicial principles. c Discretion, in general, is the discernment of what is right and proper. It denotes knowledge and prudence, that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper united with caution; nice discernment, and judgment directed by circumspection: deliberate judgment; soundness of judgment; a science or understanding to discern between falsity and truth, between wrong and right, between shadow and substance, between equity and colourable glosses and pretences, and not to do according to the will and private -affections of persons. When it is said that something is to be done within the discretion of the authorities, that something is to be done according to the rules of reason and justice, not according to private opinion; according to law and not humour. It is to be not arbitrary, vague, and fanciful, but legal and regular. And it must be exercised within the limit, to which an honest man, competent to the discharge of his of.fice ought to confine himself (Per Lord HALSBURY, LC. in Sharp v. Wakefield. (1891) Appeal Cases 173.

The word "discretion' standing single and unsupported by circumstances signifies exercise of judgment, skill or wisdom as distinguished from folly, unthinking or haste; evidently therefore a discretion cannot be arbitrary but must be a result of judicial thinking. (33 Born 334) The word in itself implies vigilant circumspection and care: therefore, where the Legislature concedes discretion it also imposes a heavy responsibility. [(See National Insurance G Co. Ltd v. Keshav Bahadur, AIR (2004) SC 1581, 1584, para lO)(AIR 1933 Sind 49)).

The discretion of a Judge is the Jaw of tyrants; it is always unknown. It is different in different men. It is casual, and depends upon constitution, H

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A temper, passion. In the best it is often times caprice; in the worst it is every vice, folly, and passion to which human nature is liable," said Lord Camden, L.C.J., in Hindson and Kersey, (16.80) 8 How St Tr 57. as cited'in'National Insurance Corporation Ltd. v. Keshav Bahadur, A1R:2004·sc 1581, 1584, para 11 and Kumaron Manda! Vikas Nigam Ltd. V; Girja ShankerPant;'(2001) l'SCC ;B 182). " • I . ~ '. . ~,

If a certain latitude or liberty accorded by statute or,rules to a Judge as distinguished from a ministerial· or administrative official, in adjudicating on matters brought before him. It is judicial discretion, It limits and regulates the exercise of the discretion, and prevents it from 'being 1 wholly. absolute, capricious, or exempt from review .

. In "ADVANCED LAW LEXICON" BY P. Rf.MANA THA AIYAR, it has -.been stated as· follows: "Discretion. ·Power of the. Court.or arbitrators to decide as they think fit. The word "discretion" connotes necessarily 1 &n act of a judicial character, and, as used with reference to dis~retion exercised ·D judicially, it implies the absence of a hard-and~fast rule, and it requires. an actual exercise of judgment and a consideration of the facts and circumst~mces which are necessary to make a sound, fair ,and just determination, andia ·knowledge of the facts upon which the discretion may properly operate. [Corpus Juris Secundum, Vol. 27, page 289 as referred in Aero Traders Pvt. E Ltd..v. Ravir1der Kumar Suri, VI (2004) SLT428, 430, para 6]" , • _,_ ' ,. ·' / .t ~

''.A discretion", said Lord WRENBURY, "does not empower a man to do • • " "< • } '. ,, If• ' ' f '" , f j ~ 'i: I .• I . . ' , ,: ·

• what he likes merely because he is minded to do so, he must · • ~ •' · ' · n · · · ·1. , in the exercise · , _· . ·• ~ j • . , " · • , ·_. 1 .' ' ': ' ~ ., , • ·,

of his discretion do not what he likes but what he ought. Jn l other. (',..,,.. words, '! he 111-.,if_,. ,,

.F must, by the use of his reason, ascertain and follow the course which reason dictates/,'.(Roberts "'H~pwood;J925AC578)~ This approacl} to construction . has·, two consequences tthe statutory discretion mu~ttbe truly )exercised; _and . w.hen,exercised it must be.exer:<;:ise<l reasonably. (MAXWELL), ., . r •• - • - •, ( '1 . " I ·'I'· lf ,ti 1 ,, l ;_ • '! .~·. ~ t; d 1.. ·~ ' _p· .' 1'

. , "J?i~cn;tion", said. L01J MANSf}f'.Lf) R. ~.. W.\,k.~s,p779~ 9~ E,R,f.2,7), i? .G 'when appJied to a Court of justice, means s?µ~d discre.tion gu\d~f'; b_Y. !~~· It m~~~;br governed by ,rule, not by hun_:io1;1r,1.it ~u~t .not be arbitr~ry, va~ue, and fanciful but legal and regular. (See Craies on Statute Law, 6th Edn. ~.273) - • - • t ,,,

. 'Dis9retion' means when it/? s~\d tr~t soip~t~in~,~s,tq .~~ .d,?t~~ within ~he qiscretion of the _authorities that that somet~in~ .~s to be done. ac~ording H

.. RELi. AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT. LTD. v. AIRPORTSAUTH.OF INDIA[PASAYAT,J.J 435

to the rules of reason and justice, not according to private opinion: Rooke's A case according to Jaw, and not humour. It is to be not arbitrary, vague and fanciful, but legal and regular. Lord HALSBURY LC in Susannah Sharp v. Wakefield, (1891) AC 173 at p. 179 referred to in Siben Kumar Monda/ v. Hindustan Petroleum Corp0ration Ltd, (AIR 1995 Cal 327, 333-335). (See also Aero Traders Pvt. Ltd v. Ravindra Kumar Suri, VI (2004) SLT 428, 430, para B 6; Man Mal Sharma v. Bikaner Sahkari Upbhokta Bhandar, (AIR 1999 Raj 13, 18) and Rekha Bhasin v. Union of India, (AIR 1998 Del 314, 322.)

Discretion, Lord MANSFIELD stated in classic terms in, John Wilke's case, (1970) 4 Hurr 2528, must be a sound one governed by Jaw and guided by rule, not by humour; Lord DENNING put it eloquently in Breem v. C Amalgamated Engineering Union, [1971] 1 All ER 1148, that in a Government of Laws' "there is nothing like unfettered discretion immune from judicial reviewability." Courts stand between the executive and the subject alert, to see th'.lt discretionary power is not exceeded or misused. Discretion is a science of understanding to discern between right or wrong, between shadow and substance, between equity and colourable glosses and pretences and not to do according to one's wills and private affections. Lord BRIGHTMAN elegantly observed in the case of, Chief Constable of North Sales Police v. Evans, [1982] 3 All ER 141 that:

"Judicial review, as the words imply is not an appeal from a decision, but a review of the matter in which the decision was made."

"The judge, even when he is free, is still not wholly free. He is not to innovate at pleasure. He is not a knight-errant roaming at will in pursuit of his own ideal of beauty or of goodness. He is to draw his inspiration from consecrated principles. He is not to yield to spasmodic sentiment, to vague and unregulated benevolence. He is to exercise a discretion informed by tradition, methodized by analogy, disciplined by system, and subordinated to 'the primodial necessity of order in the social life'. Wide enough in all conscience is the field of discretion that remains." BENJAMIN CARDOZE in 'The Nature of Judicial Process'. G

The power to decide within the limits allowed by positive rules of law as to punishments, remedies or costs and generally to regulate matters of procedure and administration; discernment of what is right and proper [See Article 136(1 ), Constitution) H

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A 'Discretion' is governed by rule and it must not be arbitrary, vague and fanciful. (See Jaisinghani v. Union of India, AIR (1967) SC 1427, 1434). . When any thing is left to any person, Judge or magistrate to be done according to his discretion, the law intends it must be done with sound discretion, and according to law, (Tomlin). In its ordinary meaning, the word signifies unrestrained exercise of choice or will; freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of will; the liberty of power of acting without other control than one's own judgment. But, when applied to public functionaries, it means a power or right conferred upon them by law, of acting officially in certain circumstances according to the dictates of their own judgment and conscience, uncontrolled by the judgment or conscience of others. Discretion is to discern between right and wrong; and therefore whoever hath power to act at discretion, is bound by the rule of reason and law. ( 2 Inst. 56, 298; Tomlin) There may be several degrees of Discretion, discretio generalis, discretio legalis, discretio specialis,- Discretio generalis is required of every one in everything that he is to do, or attempt "Legalis discretio", is that which Sir E Coke meaneth and setteth forth in Rooke's and Keighley's cases and this is merely to administer justice according to the prescribed rules of the law.

"The third discretion is where the laws have given no .certain rule .... E and herein discretion is the absolute judge of the cause, and gives the rule." (Callis. 112. 113) DISCRETION, FREE AND UNQUALIFIED, The "free and unqualified discretion" to refuse or grant licences, which is given to justices by the Beer Dealers Retail Licences is absolute as well as regards the renewal of an old, as the grant of a new, licence. (R. v. Kay, 52 LJMC 90). Discretion, F Judicial is a certain latitude or liberty accorded by statute or rules to a judge as distinguished from a ministerial or administrative official, in adjudicating on matters brought.before him, The use of the word "judicial" limits and regulates the exercise of the discretion, and prevents it from being wholly absolute, capricious, or exempt from review. But the presence of the word "discretion" G pemiits the judge to consider as a judge, what are vaguely termed, all the circumstances of the case and the purpose for which he is invested with the considerations of convenience or utility or saving of expense rather than on considerations of strict law or technicalities.

Such discretion is usually given on matters of procedure or punishment, or costs of administration rather than with reference to vested substantive

RELi. AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT.LTD.''· AIRPORTS AUTH.OF INDIA (PASAYA T, J.]43 7

~ rights. The matters which should regulate the exercise of discretion have been stated by eminent judges in somewhat different forms of words but with substantial identity. When a statute gives a judge a discretion,, what is meant is a judicial discretion, regulated according to the known rules of law, and not the mere whim or caprice of the person to whom it is given on the assumption that he is discreet (Lee v. Bude Railway Co., (1871) LR 6 CP 576, 580, WILLES, B J.; and see Morgan v. Morgan, (1869), LR l P & M 644, 647). "That discretion, like other judicial discretions, must be exercised acco'rding to common sense and according to justice, and if there is a miscarriage in the exercise of it, it will be reviewed; but still it is a discretion, and for my own part I think that when a tribunal is invested by Act of Parliament, or by rules, with a discretion, without any indication in the Act or rules of the grounds on .which the C discretion is to be exercised, it is a mistake to lay down any rules with a view of indicating the particular grooves on which the discretion would run, for if the Act or rules did not fetter the discretion of the judge, why should the Court do so?" Gardner v. Jay, (1885) 29 Ch D 50 at 58, per BOWEN, L.J.) (See also 5 Cal 259) Discretion of Court. "Ability to discern by the right line of law, P and not by the crooked cord of private opinion, which the vulgar call discretion"; freedom to act according to the judgment of the Court, or according to the rules of equity, and the nature of circumstances; judicial discretion regulated according to known rules of Jaw; legal discretion, and not personal discretion sound discretion guided by fixed legal principles". E In the instant case, though the High Court seems to have noted that the EGOM has absolute discretion, it has really not held that the discretion was unfettered. In fact it has on facts found that the discretion was properly exercised to make some variations in the terms of RFP. F Coming to the constitution of GETE, no ma/a fides are alleged against the members. It is only the method of evaluation done by GETE which is challenged apart from contending that GETE should not have been constituted. About the constitution of GETE, as noted above, the stand is clearly untenable. So far as evaluation of the marks as done by EC is concerned, GETE has given G reasons for altering the marks allotted which ultimately led to the non qualification of the appellant. There were four identified areas where it was noted that the EC's approach in the evaluation exercise was inconsistent with the terms of the RFP.

EGOM in its order dated 27.12.2005 constituting GETE, stipulated as H

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A follows:

"The Group would particularly look into and present 'its recommendations before the COS on:

(a) Overall vali dation of the evaluation process, incl~ding 0

B calibration of the qualification and sensitivity analysis. The j '

sensitivity analysis will cover the impact of inter-se ,J - • - ~

weightages• of sub-criteria as well • asJ scoring. . L

(b) The issues raised by the Members'ofthe. Inter Ministerial Group about the evaluation 'process. ' . ·· · · c I (c) An overall assessment of transparency and .fairness of the evaluation process, including steps required, if any, to achieve a transparent and fair outcome. e ' I ' . '•'j_ (d) Suggestions for improving the selection process for Joint D Venture Partner in the future." , '

Essentially there were four instances of rewriting of priorities and weightages as contained in the RFP and valuation was then made by the' EC on the basis of these re-written priorities and weightages. These were as follows: E (i) Change in priority in the matter of absorption of staff,

(ii) Changing the weightage ascribed to property developmeht by merging the marks for infrastructure de'velopmerit and property ' . . development. F (iii) Changing of the weightage ascribed to non-aeronautical development by failing to consider aeronautical revenue·of 40% as a "threshold" - less than which would not get any marks, and

(iv) Changing the weightage of experience in respect of a non- OECD airport by treatment . of a 'oECD .. airport on par with. non- G ,

C?ECD airports.

As regards (i), the EC divided the marks between 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 unequally, and also awarded marks for the extent of absorption proposed from a baseline of Zero - instead of a baseline of 40% which was the mandatory absorption criteria. The RFP accorded a priority to a higher absorpti~n of e~isting staff

RELL AIRPORT DEVELOPERS PVT. LTD. v. AIRPORTSAUTH.OFINDIA[PASAYAT,J.]439

by the new company. The EC proceeded to modify this priority. It opined that the overall approach was more important than absorption, and gave marks accordingly. So far as (ii) is concerned, the EC again altered the weightages accorded in the RFP, which considered experience in "property development"as valuable as "infrastructure development" and thereby put each of them as a sub-head. According to EC, the former was not as important as the latter and )3 thus gave 1.6 marks for the former (1.2.2) and 4.7 marks for the latter (1.2.3.).

As consequence of (iii) above, EC gave marks to the appellant who had projected less than 40% non-aeronautical revenue - whereas the RFP clearly gave a weightage to aeronautical revenue beyond 40%. As rightly contended by the respondents, if a project has a high revenue share given to the government, then aeronautical revenue being regulated, the incomes would flow from non-aeronautical revenues. However generation of such non- aeronautical revenues would involve a larger capital investment in property development. EC (a) gave less marks to GVK because it had a high capital outlay projected (as compared to the appellant), (b) did not regard experience in property development as having the same priority as infrastructure development, and (c) gave marks to the appellant for its non-aeronautical revenue, although its projected revenue was less than 40%.

As a consequence of (iv) above, EC gave marks to the appellant for Mexico Airport which is admittedly an OECD Airport - on the spacious reasoning that it is virtually like a non-OECD Airport since Mexico is like a developing country.

Relevant portions of GETE's reports read as follows:

FIRST REPORT DATED 7.1.2006 F

xx xx xx xx

2.1. The Group of Eminent Technical Experts (GETE} had their first meeting and deliberations on Friday, 30th December, 2005 ....The presentation G was basically for explaining the contents of the Request for Proposal {RFP), the approach adopted by the EC in evaluating the technical bid and the views expressed by Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) on the EC evaluation. The EC explained that the weightage marks for the two criteria and sub-criteria were already indicated in the RFP for the information of bidders. Splitting up these marks to the different sub-factors of sub-criteria was done by the EC based H

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