The Hindu 14.12.2017
Corporation council revokes decision on Digital City project
The Kozhikode Corporation council on Wednesday revoked its October 11
decision to entrust Jio Infocom with the ‘Digital City’ project and
decided to invite a fresh expression of interest from internet service
providers.
The decision follows the High Court’s November 16
directive to ensure that Idea Cellular, which had moved the court over
the project, be given a chance to take part in the bid.
A special meeting of the council was held on Wednesday to discuss the situation and to come up with a solution.
The
bid in question had four participants including Jio Infocom and Idea
Cellular Ltd. Three of them were disqualified to participate in the
bidding process as they did not follow the rules set by the Corporation,
and hence the project was granted to Jio Infocom.
However, Idea
Cellular Ltd approached the High Court claiming that the Corporation
refused to clarify some of the rules. The Court asked the Corporation to
issue the clarification and ensure that all bidders had an equal
opportunity.
Also, 13 councillors of the Opposition had submitted a
Note of Dissent to the Corporation Secretary on the day the Council
chose Jio Infocom for the project, alleging that the decision was not
valid because there was only one bidder.
The Secretary had
conducted an inquiry into this and found fault with the data provided by
the Engineering wing, the implementing agency of the project.
Under
the Digital City project, the selected internet service provider will
have to set up high-mast light poles in select locations in the city.
The poles will serve as the base for a Wi-Fi hotspot and surveillance
cameras, connected to the police control room. The service providers
will have to pay a monthly rent of Rs. 9,000 to the Corporation.
Besides,
the Corporation can set up advertisement boards on the poles. The bids
by the service providers other than Jio Infocom were rejected on grounds
that they sought to share the poles with other service providers.
The
decision follows the High Court’s directive to ensure that Idea
Cellular, which had moved the court over the project, be given a chance
to take part in the bid
Selected service provider will have to set up high-mast light poles in select locations in city
The poles will serve as the base for a Wi-Fi hotspot and surveillance cameras, connected to the police control room
