BHAJAN DEBNATH Vs. COLLECTOR OF EXCISE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD Mr. A. K. Bhowmik, learned senior counsel representing the petitioner. Also heard Mr. N. C. Paul, learned Government Advocate along with Mr. J. Mazumdar, learned counsel who represent the respondents.

(2.) THIS matter pertains to settlement of Foreign Liquor Shop (hereinafter referred to as 'the F. L. Shop') for the year 2008-09. A tender notice (Annexure-1) dated 16. 2. 2008 was issued by the Collector of Excise offering for sale of retail vend of the F. L. Shops and country liquor shops in West Tripura District and the last date stipulated for furnishing bid was notified as 30 days from the date of issuance of the tender notice.

(3.) THE petitioner offered highest bid for the Shop No. 1 at Rs. 2,20,000/- and the only other offer was from the previous settlement holder Debabrata Saha who made an offer of Rs. 1,30,000/ -. Most of the 65 Shops for which tender notice was issued was settled by May 2008 and particularly the second shop in Mohanpur Bazar that is the Shop No. 2 was settled with one Smti Bindurani Nath on 11. 5. 2008. But the settlement process with regard to Mohanpur Bazar the Shop No. 1 kept getting delayed.