KARNAIL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) On February 2, 1999, the Director of Industries, Punjab published a notice regarding the auction of quarries in Districts Gurdaspur and Amritsar for extraction of minor minerals. The petitioner was one of the bidders for the quarry named 'Beri Bujrag' in Hadbast No. 217. He gave the highest bid. It was accepted. The auction was confirmed by the State Government on April 15, 1999. A formal agreement was executed between the petitioner and the State Government on April 22, 1999.

(2.) Despite the above mentioned facts, the Village Panchayat of Beri Bujrag conducted an auction of the area which was also comprised in Hadbast No. 217 on April 10, 1999. It sold the right to extract minor minerals for a sum of Rs. 30,500/- in favour of respondent No. 6. In pursuance to this auction, respondent No. 6 also started the extraction.

(3.) Since the rights of the petitioner were adversely affected, he has filed this petition with the prayer that the auction conducted by the Panchayat on April 10, 1999 may be set aside and that he may be allowed to continue the extraction in accordance with the terms of the agreement.