N.NAVEEN KUMAR Vs. STATE OF TELANGANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since the issues involved in these two writ petitions are common, they are being disposed of by this common order.

(2.) These two writ petitions have been filed challenging the action of the

(3.) rd respondent, Executive Officer, Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, Secunderabad, in issuing the tender notification dtd. 3/3/2023 inviting sealed tenders for rights over collection of sarees and blouse pieces and for collection of 1/2 coconut pieces for nine months and one year, respectively, without extending the lease period of the petitioners for 292 days by taking into consideration of the proceedings issued by the 1st respondent, Principal Secretary, Endowments Department, vide Memo No.14199/Endts.II/A2/ 2020 dtd. 17/12/2021 and also the proceedings of the 2nd respondent, Commissioner of Endowments Department, vide proceedings L.Dis. No.C2/3814/2022 dtd. 29/11/2022 and further proceedings vide L.Dis.No.C2/3814/2022 dtd. 23/1/2023, the petitioners filed the present writ petitions. 3. It is the case of the petitioners that they were granted license rights for a period from 1/4/2020 to 31/3/2021 for collection of Sarees and coconuts pertaining to the 3rd respondent, Ujjaini Mahankali Temple. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, nationwide lockdown was declared for the years 2019 and 2020 and the shops were closed. Keeping in view the pandemic situation, the Office of the Commissioner, Endowments Department, vide L.Dis.No.C2/1101/202 dtd. 26/4/2021 extended the license rights for three months i.e. from 1/4/2021 to 30/6/2021. Subsequent thereto, the Government vide Memo No.14199/Endts.II/A2/202 dtd. 17/12/2021 extended the lease/license period for a total of 292 days (21/3/2020 - 6/6/2020 and 9/6/2020 to 10/10/2020 (202 days) and 1/4/2021 to 30/6/2021 (90 days). Since the petitioners could not avail the benefit of extension of lease/license period of 292 days, the 2nd respondent issued proceedings vide L.Dis.No.C2/3814/2022, dtd. 29/11/2022 directing the 3rd respondent to follow the orders of the Government Memo dtd. 17/12/2021. Since the 3rd respondent, without implementing the orders of the 2nd respondent, has issued a tender notification dtd. 3/3/2023, inviting sealed tenders for the 3rd respondent's temple for the period from 1/4/2023 to 31/12/2023 for rights over collection of sarees and blouse pieces and for collection of 1/2 coconut pieces for one year, the petitioners were constrained to file the present writ petitions.