BIJAY DEKA Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. T. C. Khetri, learned senior counsel for the appellant.

(2.) The Divisional Forest Officer, Sonitpur West Division invited tenders from intending bidders for settlement of Dhirai Sand and Gravel Mahal for the years 2005-07 through sale notice dated 21.12.2005. The appellant, in response to the said sale notice, offered his bid of Rs. 3,65,505/-. That, another tenderer by name one Nani Paul of Kacharigaon, Tezpur also submitted his tender by duly complying with all the formalities. The Divisional Forest Officer, Sonitpur, according to the writ appellant, having found both the tenders as valid forwarded the same through the Conservator of Forests, Tezpur Circle, Tezpur to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Guwahati, the respondent No. 2 in this appeal, with his own recommendation to settle the mahal in favour of the writ appellant.

(3.) The case set up by the writ appellant is that the 2nd respondent had chosen to reject the offer of the writ appellant as well as the tender submitted by said Nani Paul without affording any opportunity whatsoever. The case set up by the appellant is that the 2nd respondent without accepting either of the tenders directed the authorities to re-publish the sale notice inviting fresh tenders for the mahal in question.