New Delhi (PTI): Under attack for alleged non-transparency in its mega 93 million GSM lines tender, envisaging an investment of Rs 32,000 crore, state-owned BSNL has referred the case to a two-member integration panel approved by the Central Vigilance Commissioner.

Two former Chief Election Commissioners -- T S Krishnamurthy and B B Tandon -- are on the integration panel of BSNL and the panel will look into complaints from vendors relating to procuring equipment.

When contacted, BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal confirmed the development and said this has been done after equipment supplier Nokia-Siemens Network, which was disqualified on technical grounds, alleged that the state-run telecom operator’s recent 93-million GSM lines tender was conducted in a non-transparent manner.

BSNL had chosen the bids submitted by Ericsson and Huawei, while rejecting the offers made by three other vendors -- Nokia Siemens, ZTE and Alcatel Lucent. However, BSNL has not placed the Advanced Purchase Orders (APOs) with the respective vendors so far.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed BSNL not to proceed with the finalisation of the tender until further orders.