AJIT KARMAKAR Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These two writ petitions were heard analogously as similar questions were involved between the same parties.

(2.) Pursuant to an advertisement published by Lodna Gram Panchayat in the Bartaman and Business Standard Newspaper on June 30, 2021, inviting applications from the public to participate in a tendering process for collection of tolls from vehicles plying between Metedanga and Lodna More Road, the petitioner entered his bid. The bid price was fixed at Rs.14,60,000.00. The conditions mentioned in the tender notice were as follows:-

(3.) The petitioner, as the highest bidder was selected. Such selection was for a period of three years. On July 19, 2021, the Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat intimated the petitioner that his bid amounting to Rs.15,50,000.00 had been accepted. The petitioner was requested to execute a formal contract with the Pradhan of the Lodna Gram Panchayat on a non- judicial stamp paper of Rs.10.00 within 15 days from the date of receipt of the letter of acceptance, failing which, the tender would automatically stand rejected and the earnest money would be forfeited. Pursuant to the above letter, an agreement was entered into between the Pradhan of the Lodna Gram Panchayat and the petitioner for a period of three years, with effect from July 19, 2021 to July 18, 2024.