Allahabad High Court
M/S Shweta Devi Food Court vs State Of U.P. And 6 Others on 17 February, 2021
Bench: Sanjay Yadav, Jayant Banerji
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD Court No. - 9 Case :- WRIT - C No. - 17732 of 2020 Petitioner :- M/S Shweta Devi Food Court Respondent :- State Of U.P. And 6 Others Counsel for Petitioner :- Mukesh Kumar Singh,Sunil Kumar Misra Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C.,Akshay Mohiley,Ankit Singh,Shikher Trivedi Hon'ble Sanjay Yadav,J.
Hon'ble Jayant Banerji,J.
(Per: Hon'ble Jayant Banerji, J.) Heard Shri S.K. Misra, learned counsel for the petitioner and Shri Anoop Trivedi, Sr. Advocate, assisted by Shri Akshay Mohiley, learned counsel appearing for the respondent no. 7. Learned Standing Counsel appears for the respondents nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
This writ petition has been filed with the following prayer:
"a) Certiorari quashing the order dt. 15.10.2020 (delivered on 22.10.2020) passed by the respondent no. 3 by means of which the commissioner has directed to complete the formalities of granting the lease in favour of the respondent no. 7 without upsetting the order and finding of the order of the District Magistrate assailed in the appeal.
b) Mandamus commanding the respondents not to execute the order dt. 15.10.2020 till the disposal of the instant writ petition in respect of Gata No. 768 (4.046 Hectare), Block-4 at village Ramnagar, Tehsil Month, District Jhansi advertised in notice no. 219/30 MTC/2020-21 dated 24-05-2020.
c) issue a writ, order or direction of the nature of MANDAMUS commanding the respondent no.4- District Magistrate Jhansi to taken appropriate action on the petitioner's application dated 11-08-2020 by issuing a letter of intent (LOI) in favour of petitioner in respect of Gata No. 768 (4.046 Hectare), Block-4 at village Ramnagar, Tehsil Month, District Jhansi advertised in notice no. 219/30 MTC/2020-21 dated 24-05-2020 on examination of facts summoned from the respondent no. 6."
It is stated and contended on behalf of the petitioner that the respondent no. 4- District Magistrate, Jhansi, by an advertisement dated 24.5.2020 invited e-tender of plots of land in District Jhansi including plot no. 768 having an area of 4.046 hectare in Block-4 at Village Ramnagar, Tehsil Month, District Jhansi for mining in terms of the U.P. Minor Minerals (Concession) Rules, 1963 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Rules of 1963') and Government Order dated 9.10.2019. The e-tender-cum-auction was conducted at the specified portal that was managed and processed by the respondent no. 6- MSTC Limited, as administrator, and, a two stage auction was provided therein. The petitioner had submitted e-tender for e-auction of the aforesaid Gata No. 768 mentioned at Serial No. 17 in the aforesaid advertisement. The first stage of opening and evaluation of bid for the property at Serial No. 17 was fixed at 10 AM on 18.7.2020 and the second stage of bid opening was between 12 Noon to 2 PM on the same day. The petitioner was the highest bidder in the first stage, and, along with other applicants was invited for second stage of the bid. In the second stage of bid, the petitioner was declared H1 and the rate quoted by him was Rs. 306.00 per cubic meter. Instead of issuing letter of intent to the petitioner, a letter of intent dated 28.7.2020 was issued in favour of the outgoing lessee of property no. 17 (respondent no. 7) in exercise of powers under Clause 14(2)(e) of the aforesaid advertisement and Rule 23(2) of the Rules of 1963. It is contended that the essential requirement of the proviso of Clause 14(2)(e) of the advertisement notice was of one day opportunity to the former lessee but the respondent no. 7 had not participated in the second stage/final bid. It is stated that the letter of intent dated 28.7.2020 issued in favour of the respondent no. 7 was recalled by the respondent no. 4- District Magistrate by a letter dated 4.8.2020. Claiming issuance of letter of intent in his favour, the petitioner filed a writ petition being Writ-C No. 15361 of 2020 which was dismissed as withdrawn on 15.10.2020 with the liberty to the petitioner to raise his grievance or pursue his matter before the appropriate authority. It is contended that in view of the instructions filed on behalf of the District Magistrate in the previous writ petition, that against the order of the District Magistrate dated 4.8.2020, an appeal has been admitted before the Divisional Commissioner who had stayed the operation of the order of the District Magistrate dated 4.8.2020, the petitioner withdrew the earlier writ petition. On 15.10.2020, the Divisional Commissioner allowed the appeal of the respondent no. 7 and quashed the order of the District Magistrate dated 4.8.2020 with the observation that in case the respondent no. 7 does not deposit the specified amount in the letter of intent within two weeks and does not complete the requirements for execution of the lease deed, the order of the District Magistrate dated 4.8.2020 would revive. It is contended that the order dated 15.10.2020 passed by the Divisional Commissioner is illegal, perverse and against propriety.
When this writ petition was listed on 18.11.2020, the opposite party was granted time to file counter affidavit and the Court further directed the respondents to maintain status quo as operating on that date.
A counter affidavit was filed on behalf of the respondent no.7. It has been stated therein that it had applied for the tender and after fulfilling all the requirements, conditions and eligibility criteria, the respondent no.6 - MSTC Limited, provided the registration, that is to say, the login ID and password and it also registered the digital signature certificate on 01.07.2020. It is contended by the learned counsel for the respondent no.7 that the respondent no.7 submitted all the required documents including the previous lease holder certificate and the requisite fees on 06.07.2020, after verification of which, the respondent no.6 found it eligible to participate in the e-tender/e-auction event for the area in question and accepted the bid of respondent no.7. It is submitted that every bidder including the respondent no.7 accessed the system with respect to the bid. An e-mail dated 18.07.2020 was received on 10:42 a.m. by the respondent no.7 from MSTC in which it was informed that its bid was not among the top 5 ranked IPOs (Initial Price Offers) and hence, it is not eligible to participate in corresponding second phase e-auction. However, it was further mentioned in that email that the immediate preceding leaseholder of the concerned block will be eligible to participate in aforementioned e-auction provided it has registered and participated in the e-tender-cum-e-auction event.
It is stated that an email was also sent by MSTC to the petitioner on the same day and time informing that it was among the top 5 bidders and was invited for the second phase of e-auction. Even in this email to the petitioner, it was informed that inline with Uttar Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1963 and all its amendments till date, the immediate preceding leaseholder of the concerned block would be eligible to participate in aforementioned E-Auction provided it had registered and participated in that E-Tender-cum-E-Auction Event. The respondent no.7 informed the MSTC by an email on 18.07.2020 at 12:42 p.m. that it being the existing lease holder of the said mining area had participated in the scheduled auction. The certificate of existing lease holder was attached. It was mentioned therein that MSTC had not given chance for auction due to not mentioning the PAN in the existing certificate and, therefore, the respondent no.7 claimed grant of priority as per the old existing certificate. It is categorically stated in the counter affidavit that the respondent no.7 accessed the system and clicked on the relevant place/parameter for uploading their bid. However, the bid was not uploaded as the link was not accepting the bid for reasons unknown to the respondent no.7. The submission is that the respondent no.7 accessed the system and participated in the bidding process. Screen shots of the computer screen have been enclosed as Annexure-CA No.7 to the affidavit to substantiate the fact that the respondent no.7 accessed the system and participated in the bidding process. At 1:00 p.m. on 18.01.2020, an email was sent by MSTC Limited to the respondent no.7 stating that the PAN and details are required to ascertain the identity and that the representation may be given to the District Mines Officer, Jhansi under Rule 23(2)Kha applicable for previous lease holders (Annexure CA-7). It is contended that even though the respondent no.7 was not among the top 5 bidders, but on account of being previous lease holder, it was granted access to the second round bidding process. It is stated that as per the terms of the advertisement under the provisions of Rule 23(2) of the Rules of 1963, on 18.07.2020 itself, the respondent no.7 being the previous lease holder, communicated to the authorities a bid of Rs.307/-. It is stated that respondent no.7 moved his bid within 50 minutes after the conclusion of the e-tender-cum-e-auction event, wherein the bidding was closed at Rs.306/-, being that of the petitioner. It is contended that the prompt action of the respondent no.7 proves that they could move their bid within 50 minutes which could only be achieved by participating and accessing the e-auction process of the event. It is stated that thereafter MSTC sent an email dated 23.07.2020 at 11:35 a.m. to the respondent no.7 communicating it to be the highest bidder and to get all the requisite documents verified as per instructions mentioned in the advertisement/tender document issued from the District (Annexure CA-10). Thereafter, a letter of intent dated 28.07.2020 was issued by the District Magistrate in favour of the respondent no.7. It is submitted that under the circumstances, no prejudice has been caused to any other bidders as the respondent no.7 being the previous lease holder, always had a right to match the bid within one working day which it did. It is submitted that even if the bid of the petitioner was accepted, then also the answering respondent had a right under the Rules of 1963 to match the bid of the petitioner and make a higher bid for the tender and the same would have been allotted to him which has happened in the instant case.
A counter affidavit was also filed on behalf of the State-respondents in which it was stated that after conducting e-auction proceedings online, the service provider agency, that is, MSTC Ltd. submitted a report on 22.7.2020 and informed that M/s Kanpur Granite Stone Company, the respondent No.7 had submitted a bid of Rs. 307/- per cubic meter which is the highest. A copy of the report of MSTC is annexed to the counter affidavit, in which a tabulated chart appears showing various amounts of bids received as well as the offer of the highest bid. It is stated that thereafter on the basis of the aforesaid report submitted by MSTC Limited, the Letter of Intent dated 28.7.2020 was issued in favour of respondent no.7 by the District Magistrate Jhansi. Thereafter, an e-mail dated 30.7.2020 was sent by MSTC Ltd. by which it was informed that respondent No.7, M/s Kanpur Granite Stone Company, had not participated in the second phase of e-auction pursuant to the advertisement dated 24.5.2020. The counter affidavit filed on behalf of the State-respondents further states as follows:-
"11.That it is relevant to point out here that the provisions of Rule 23(2)(b) of Rules, 1963 provides that the earlier lease holder of the concerned lease area, whose lease had been determined recently, has to be accommodated an opportunity to offer bid of higher amount than the highest bid shorted out for the concerned lease, within one working-day after the finalization of the entire process of e-tender/e-auction/e-tender cum e-auction and before issuance of letter of intent, before the District Magistrate having territorial jurisdiction over the concerned lease area. The said right to the earlier holder has been provided upon certain conditions mentioned in Rule 23(2)(b) of Rules, 1963.
12.That there was a condition mentioned in the advertisement dated 24.05.2020 i.e. condition no. 14(2)(E) (relevant page no. 33-34 of the writ petition) with regard to benefit provided under Rule 23(2)(b) to earlier lease holder of the concerned lease area, whose lease had been determined recently. The said condition specifically provides that the benefit can only be provided when the earlier lease holder has participated in second phase of e-auction.
13.That pursuant to the information dated 30.07.2020 provided by MSTC Ltd., the District Magistrate, Jhansi vide order dated 04.08.2020 (Annexure No. 3 to the writ petition) withdrew the letter of intent dated 28.07.2020.
14.That against the order dated 04.08.2020, the respondent no. 7 preferred an appeal before the Commissioner, Jhansi Division, Jhansi which was allowed on 15.10.2020 on the ground that once the letter of intent dated 28.07.2020 issued in pursuance to the information provided by MSTC Ltd. then the same cannot be cancelled without providing opportunity of hearing to the appellant/respondent no. 7.
15. That it is relevant to point out here that the Letter of Intent dated 28.07.2020 was issued in favour of respondent no. 7 on the basis of information provided by MSTC Ltd. and the same was cancelled on the basis subsequent information provided by MSTC Ltd. in which it was mentioned that M/s Kanpur Granite Company has not participated in second phase of e-auction. The order dated 15.10.2020 passed by Commissioner, Jhansi Division Jhansi is based on terms and conditions of the Letter of Intent dated 28.07.2020".
When the matter was listed on 16.12.2020, this Court directed the respondent no.7 to inform the Court as to whether the order dated 15.10.2020 (Annexure No.7 to the writ petition) has been complied by taking steps to deposit the required amount within a period of two weeks. Then a supplementary affidavit was filed on behalf of respondent no.7 in which photocopies of deposit challans have been annexed evincing deposits of Rs. 3000/= on 09.11.2020 in the account head 0853-00-102-01-00, an amount of Rs. 14,51,505/= on 27.10.2020 under the account head 0853-00-800-01-00 and Rs. 31,05,305/= on 27.10.2020 under the account head 0853-00-800-01-00. A letter of 09.11.2020 addressed by the respondent no.7 to the Mines Officer is also enclosed by which a request was made to issue cluster plan and cluster certificate.
A perusal of the advertisement dated 24.5.2020 that is enclosed as Annexure No.1 to the writ petition reveals that it was issued declaring specified areas in District Jhansi for mining lease regarding mining of Khanda, Gitti, Boulder, Patia, Lal Morrum etc. (other than Granite and related stones) under the provisions of Chapter IV of the Rules of 1963 by e-tender-cum-auction method in accordance with the directions given in the relevant Government Order dated 09.10.2019 issued pursuant to the Uttar Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) (47th Amendment) Rules, 2019. The relevant mining area for purpose of this petition is mentioned at serial no. 17 of the table appended to this advertisement. The procedure for registration of the persons wanting to participate in the process of e-tender and e-auction was also specified in the advertisement and the relevant conditions were as under:-
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gksxk rFkk vusZLV euh tks foKfIr esa {ks= ds uke lEeq[k vafdr gS] tek fd;k tkuk gksxkA ¼3½ lQy cksyhnkrk@fufonknkrk dks NksMdj 'ks"k cksyhnkrk@fufonknkrk }kjk tek c;kus dh /kujkf'k ¼vusZLV euh½ cksyhnkrk@fufonknkrk ds cSad ds [kkrs esa okil dj nh tk;sxhA vkosnd }kjk iathdj.k ds le; fn;s x;s cSad [kkrs esa cnyko ekU; ugh fd;k tk;sxkA fo'ks"k ifjfLFkfr;ksa es funs'kd] HkwrRo ,oa [kfudeZ funs'kky;] m0 iz0 ds vuqeksnu mijkUr cSad [kkrs dk cnyko fd;k tk ldrk gSA ¼4½ tgka fdlh Hkh dkj.k bZ&fufonk lg bZ&fuykeh dh izfdz;k iwjh u gks ogka de ls de 07 fnu dh vYi vof/k dh uksfVl nsus ds i'pkr iqu% bZ&fufonk lg bZ&uhykeh dh tk ldrh gSA ¼5½ vf/kdre rhu [kuu iV~Vs vFkok 03 [kuu iV~Vs ;k 25 gsDVs;j ls vf/kd {ks=Qy dk O;fDr@QeZ@dEiuh ds i{k esa Lohd`r ugh fd;k tk;sxkA ;fn fdUgh ifjLFkfr;ksa esa ,d O;fDr@QeZ@dEiuh }kjk vius i}k esa 03 [kuu iV~Vs ;k 25 gsDVs;j ls vf/kd {ks=Qy dk [kuu iV~Vk Lohd`r djk fy;k tkrk gS] rks vUr esa Lohd`r [kuu iV~Vs fujLr dj iV~Vk vUrxZr tek lEiw.kZ /kujkf'k tCr dj yh tk;sxh rFkk dsoy izkjEHk ds rhu {ks= esa [kuu iV~Vs gh vuqeU; gksaxsA ijUrq ;fn vkosnd Lo;a vius i{k esa 03 [kuu iV~Vs vFkok 25 gsDVs;j ls vf/kd {ks=Qy dk [kuu iV~Vk gksus dh lwpuk nsrk gS] rks mDr lhek ds vUrxZr dksbZ [kuu iV~Vk {ks= ds p;u dk mls vf/kdkj gksxkA rFkk 'ks"k {ks=ksa dh tek /kujkf'k Ikqf"V ds mijkUr ;Fkkor okil dj nh tk;sxhA 13& bZ&fufonk lg bZ&fuykeh dh izfdz;k ftykf/kdkjh }kjk xfBr lfefr }kjk dh tk;sxh! 14& bZ&fufonk lg bZ&fuykeh dh izfdz;k:-
¼1½ bZ&fufonk lg bZ&fuykeh nks pj.kksa es dh tk;sxhA izFke pj.k esa dsoy bZ&fufonk foKkiu esa fu/kkZfjr frfFk ,oa le; ds vUrxZr Mkyh tk;sxhA fcM@jk;YVh dh nj izR;sd mi [kfut ds fy, izfr ?ku ehVj ds fy, nh tk;sxh] tks lEcfU/kr mi [kfut ds fy, fu;ekoyh 1963 ds vuqlwph&1 esa mfYyf[kr jk;YVh dh nj ls de ugh gksxkA izR;sd {ks= ds izFke pj.k dh bZ&fufonk [kksyus ds rRdky 02 ?k.Vs ckn f}rh; pj.k dh bZ&uhykeh dh dk;Zokgh izkjEHk dh tk;sxhA ¼2½ izFke pj.k dh lekfIe ds mijkUr fuEukuqlkj izfdz;k viuk;h tk;sxh & ¼d½ ;fn izFke pj.k esa ,d gh foM izkIr gksrh gS vkSj mDr foM ¼vkQj½ esa nh x;h /kujkf'k fu/kkZfjr U;wure cksyh ls 200 izfr'kr ls vf/kd gS rFkk fufonknkrk 'ks"k 'krZsa iw.kZ djrk gks rks ftykf/kdkjh }kjk ml fufonknkrk ds i{k esa ysVj vkQ bUVasV tkjh fd;k tk;sxkA ¼[k½ ;fn izFke pj.k esa dsoy ,d gh foM izkIr gksrk gS mDr foM ¼vkQj½ 200 izfr'kr ls de gS rks ftykf/kdkjh {ks= dh HkkSxksfyd fLFkfr] [kfut dh miyC/krk] [kfut dh xq.koRrk] mi [kfut dk cktkj ewY; ] ml {ks= esa [kfut dh ekax {ks= es voS/k [kuu dh lEHkkouk] jktLo dh izkfIr vkfn ij fopkj djrs gq, Lofoosd ls ,dy fufonknkrk ds i{k esa ysVj vkQ bUVsaV tkjh djus vFkok u djus ds lEcU/k esa fu.kZ; ys ldsaxsA ¼x½ ;fn izFke pj.k es ,d ls vf/kd ijUrq ikap ;k iakp ls de foM izkIr gksrk gS] rks lHkh foMdrkZ f}rh; pj.k dh bZ&fuykeh esa Hkkx ysus gsrq vgZ gksaxs rFkk f}rh; pj.k ds vf/kdre cksyhnkrk ds i{k esa ftykf/kdkjh }kjk vk'k; i= ¼ysVj vkQ bUVsaV½ tkjh fd;k tk;sxkA ¼?k½ ;fn izFke pj.k es ikap ls vf/kd fcM@vkQj izkIr gksrs gS] rc dsoy ikap lokZf/kd fufonkdkj gh f}rh; pj.k dks bZ&fuykeh esa Hkkx ysus gsrq vgZ gksxs rFkk f}rh; pj.k ds vf/kdre cksyhnkrk ds i{k esa ftykf/kdkjh }kjk vk'k; i= ¼ysVj vkQ bUVsaV½ tkjh fd;k tk;sxkA ¼³½ izfrcU/k ;g gS fd vk'k; i= tkjh fd;s tkus ls iwoZ lEcfU/kr iV~Vk {ks= ds iwoZorhZ iV~Vk/kkjd ftldk iV~Vk gky gh esa lekIr gqvk dks bZ&fufonk lg&bZ&fuykeh dh lEiw.kZ izfdz;k lekIr gksus ds mijkUr ,d dk;Z fnol ds Hkhrj lEcfU/kr iV~Vk {ks= ij izknsf'kd ¼Territorial½ vf/kdkfjrk j[kus okys ftyk eftLVsªV ds le{k izLrko] tks mPpre cksyh ls vf/kd gks] izLrqr djus dk ,d vxzlj fu;e&23¼2½ ds 'krkZsa ds v/khu iznRr gSA mijksDrkuuqlkj iwoZorhZ iV~Vk/kkjd ftlus iathdj.k ds le; fcUnq la[;k&11¼6½ ds vuqlkj iwoZorhZ iV~Vk/kkjd gksus dk izek.k i= izLrqr fd;k gks rFkk f}rh; pj.k dh uhykeh izfdz;k esa Hkkx fy;k gks] dks {ks= fo'ks"k dh uhykeh iw.kZ gksus ij blds mPPkre cksyh dks Lor% laKku eas ysdj mlls vf/kd dh is'kd'k@vkQj dk i= vius gLrk{kj lfgr LdSu dj vius jftLVMZ bZ0esy vkbZ0 Mh0 ds ek/;e ls bZ&fuykeh dh lekfIr dh frfFk ls vxys dk;Zfnol ds lka; 5-00 cts rd ftykf/kdkjh ds bZ&esy vkbZ0 Mh0 ,oa ,e0 ,l0 Vh0 lh0 ds esy vkbZ0 Mh0 ij izLrqr djus dk fodYi izkIr gksxk] vU;Fkk dh n'kk es iwoZorhZ iV~Vk/kkjd ds vk/kkj ij mijksDr izkFkfedrk dk m0 iz0 [kfut ¼ifjgkj½ fu;ekoyh&1963 ;Fkkla'kksf/kr ds fu;e&23¼2½¼[k½ ds vUrxZr ykHk ugh feysxkA ftykf/kdkjh rhu dk;Z fnolksa ds Hkhrj mDr ds lEcU/k esa fu.kZ; ysdj lEcfU/kr iwoZ iV~Vk/kkjd] ,e0 ,l0 Vh0 lh0 ,oa uhykeh esa Hkkx ysus okys mPpre cksyhnkrk dks] mldks lalwfpr djsaxsA ¼3½ mijksDr izLrj& 15¼2½¼x½]¼?k½]¼³½ ds vuqlkj izFke pj.k ds ;ksX; cksyhnkrk f}rh; pj.k dh uhykeh esa Hkkx ys ldrs gSA ¼4½ f}rh; pj.k esa bZ&uhykeh dh izfdz;k dh tk;sxhA bZ&uhykeh dh izfdz;k izFke pj.k dh vxzlkfjr izfdz;k gksxh] ftlesa izFke pj.k esa izkIr mPpre foM@vkQj f}rh; pj.k dh bZ&uhykeh ds fy, U;wure cksyh ¼Floor Price½ Lor% fu/kkZfjr gks tk;sxhA ¼5½ bZ&uhykeh dh izfdz;k] tks bZ&fufonk [kksyus ds rRdky nks ?k.Vs ckn izkjEHk gksxh] eS bPNqd ,oa vgZ O;fDr@QeZ@dEiuh cksyh esa dbZ ckj Hkkx ys ldrk gSA bZ&uhykeh dh vkuykbu izfdz;k es Ldzuh ij vf/kdre cksyh iznf'kZr gksrh jgsxh vkSj iznf'kZr cksyh ls vf/kd cksyh vkuykbu gh nh tk ldrh gSA ¼6½ fu/kkZfjr le; ds i'pkr cksyh dh dk;Zokgh cUn gks tk;sxh vkSj mlds mijkUr dksbZ cksyh ugh nh tk ldrhA cksyh ds vfUre le; esa ;fn dksbZ vkSj cksyh izkIr gksrh gS rks uhykeh dh cksyh dk le; Lor% 05 feuV ds fy, c< tk;sxkA ;g izfd;k rc rd tkjh jgsxh tc rd 05 feuV ds vUrjky esa dksbZ vkSj cksyh izkIr ugh gksrh gSA ¼7½ bZ&fufonk lg bZ&uhykeh dh dky ;kstuk ,oa vof/k fuEukuqlkj lEikfnr dh tk;sxh& izsl foKfIr ¼fOkKfIr dk izdk'ku½ fnukad 01-06-2020 izh&fcM bZ0 ,e0 Mh0 ,oa vkosnu 'kqYd tek djus dh vfUre frfFk bZ&fufonk ls iwoZ ,e0 ,l0 Vh0 lh0 esa visf{kr izh&foM bZ0 ,e0 Mh0 ,oa vkosnu 'kqYd ,e0 ,l0 Vh0 lh0 dh osclkbV ij of.kZr fn'kk funsZ'kksa ds vuqlkj tek djus dh ftEesnkjh cksyhnkrk dh gS ,oa cksyhnkrk ;g lqfuf'pr dj ysaA izFke pj.k esa bZ&fufonk ¼bZ&Vs.Mj dh vof/k½ fnukad 02-07-2020 iwokZgu~ 10-00 cts ls fnukad 07-07-2020 lka; 05-00 cts rdA izFke pj.k esa izkIr bZ&fufonk ¼foM½ dk [kksyk tkuk ,oa mldk ewY;kadu
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fnukad 18-07-2020 dh iwokZgu 10 cts dzekad 17 ij foKkfir {ks=
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f}rh; pj.k dh bZ&uhykeh dh vof/k
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fnukad 15-07-2020 dks vijkgu 10-00 cts ls 2-00 cts rd dzekad&17 ij foKkfir {ks=
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¼8½ ifj.kke dh ?kks"k.k ,oa mldk izn'kZu ¼d½ izFke pj.k dh fufonk izfdz;k dk ifj.kke fufonkdkj (Tenderer) ds ykfxu ij iznf'kZr gksxk1 izFke pfj.k ds fufonk izfdz;k ds lekiu ds i'pkr vf/kdre fufonk /kujkf'k fcM ,ekmUV iznf'kZr dh tk;sxh1 lHkh fufonkdkj f}rh; pj.k dh cksyh gsrq os ;ksX; gS vFkok ugha dks Hkh ykafxu dj tku ldrs gSa1 ¼[k½ ,dy fufonk ds ekeyksa dks NksMdj 'ks"k ekeyksa esa f}rh; pj.k dh uhykeh lekIr gksus ds mijkUr izkIr vf/kdre cksyh mlds cksyhnkrk dk fooj.k ,e0,l0Vh0lh0 ds fu/kkZfjr iksVZy ij iznf'kZr fd;k tk;sxk1 15- [kuu iV~Vs dk fn;k tkuk%& fu;ekoyh&1962 ds fu;e&28 ds izko/kkuks ds vuqlkj bZ&fufonk lg bZ&uhykeh ds ekeys esa ml cksyh ;k izLrko dks mijksDr izLrj& 15¼2½ esa fn;s x;s izfdz;k ds vuqlkj ftykf/kdkjh Lohdkj djsaxs tks mPpre gksA ftykf/kdkjh }kjk lQy ,oa fu;ekuqlkj vgZ cksyhnkrk@fufonknkrk dks muds }kjk izLrqr ewy vfHkys[k ds lR;kiu ds ,d lIrkg ds vUnj ysVj vkQ bUVsaV fuxZr fd;k tk;sxkA 16- bZ&uhykeh lEkkIr gksus ds i'pkr 03 dk;Z fnol ds vUnj lQy cksyhnkrk dks vius ewy vfHkys[k dk lR;kiu ml tuin ds ftykf/kdkjh] tgka {ks+= fLFkr gS] ds }kjk vFkok funs'kd] HkwrRo ,oa [kfudeZ] funs'kky; ds }kjk djkuk gksxkA funs'kd }kjk ewy vfHkys[k ds LkR;kiu dh fLFkfe esa vfHkys[k&lR;kiu dh vk[;k bZ&esy ds ek/;e ls lEcfU/kr ftykf/kdkjh dks izsf"kr dh tk;sxhA vfHkys[k&lR;kiu ds i'pkr gh ftykf/kdkjh }kjk vk'k; i= ¼ysVj vkQ bUVsaV½ tkjh fd;k tk;sxkA lR;kiu esa ;fn dksbZ vfHkys[k vFkok izek.k i= dwVjfpr] vlR; vFkok xyr Ikk;k tkrk gS rks ysVj vkQ bUVsaV tkjh ugh fd;k tk;sxk rFkk c;kus dh /kujkf'k ¼vusZLV euh½ tCr dj yh tk;sxhA Thus, the aforesaid advertisement provides in Clause 14 (2)(Gha) that if in the first stage of e-tender-cum-e-auction process, more than five bids/offers are received, only five highest tenderers would be eligible for participating in the E-auction of the second round and the District Magistrate would issue a Letter of Intent in favour of the person offering the highest bid in the second round. However, Clause 14 (2) (M) is an exclusion to the above provision and provides that prior to issuance of Letter of Intent the previous leaseholder of the concerned leased area whose lease has expired recently would be given an opportunity under the terms of Rule 23(2) to submit a bid, before the District Magistrate concerned, above the highest bid after conclusion of the entire proceedings of the E-Tender-cum-E-Auction within one day thereafter in respect of the concerned leased area. It further provides that that previous leaseholder who at the time of registration has submitted a certificate of being a previous leaseholder in terms of clause 11(6)(sic) and has participated in the second round of the auction, would be entitled to take cognizance of the highest bid after conclusion of the auction in respect of the specific area and would submit a scanned copy of a his letter containing his offer of higher bid from his registered e-mail ID to the e-mail ID of the District Magistrate and that of MSTC by 5.00 p.m. of the following day after conclusion of E-auction, failing which he would not be entitled to the benefit of Rule 23(2) (b) of the Rules of 1963 (as amended). The District Magistrate is also enjoined to take a decision within three working days in respect of the above and communicate the same to the previous leaseholder, to MSTC and to the highest bidder at the auction.
It is evident from the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the State-respondents that a summary report of E-Tender-cum-E-Auction of in-situ Rocks/Stone Chips with respect to advertisement aforesaid was sent by MSTC to the District Magistrate, Jhansi, wherein respondent No.7 is reflected as the highest bidder. Consequently, the Letter of Intent dated 28.7.2020 was issued in favour of respondent No.7. Subsequently, an email dated 30.7.2020 was issued by MSTC to the Mining office and other concerned persons, contents of which are as follows:-
"महोदय संलग्न पत्र के सम्बन्ध में आपको यह अवगत करना है कि KANPUR GRANITE STONE CO/100682 का PAN कार्ड डिटेल जनपद द्वारा एम एस टी सी को ई नीलामी शुरु होने के पूर्व तक उपलब्ध नहीं कराया गया था। फलस्वरुप विज्ञप्ति संख्या 219 दिनाँक 24.05.2020 क्रमांक संख्या 17 पर अंकित क्षेत्र के द्वितीय चरण अर्तार्थ ई नीलामी चरण में उक्त बोलीदाता भाग नहीं ले सके थे।
आपके संज्ञान हेतु प्रेषित"
It is evident from the aforesaid email dated 30.7.2020 (that has been relied upon by the District Magistrate in his order of 4.8.2020 recalling the letter of intent dated 28.7.2020) that prior to the e-auction the pan card details of respondent no.7 had not been submitted and, accordingly, in terms of advertisement No. 219 dated 24.5.2020 in respect of the specified area appearing at sl. no. 17, the respondent no.7 could not participate in the second round of E-auction. The order of the District Magistrate dated 4.8.2020 reads as follows:-
कार्यालय जिलाधिकारी, झांसी पत्रांक: 7/8 / 30एम0एम0सी/2019-20 दिनांक: 64/0B/2020 मेसर्सस कानपुर ग्रेनाईट स्टोन कम्पनी श्री राजेश कुमार मारिवाला श्री स्व0 नारायण दास निवासी- सिन्धी कालोनी स्टेशन रोड चिएगाँव तहसील-मोठ जिला-झाँसी। कार्यालय-आदेश
जनपद झांसी की तहसील-मोंठ के ग्राम-रामनगर के गाटा सं0 768 (खण्ड-04) रकबा 4.046 हेक्टयर में इमारती पत्थर यथा गिट्टी/बोल्डर के खनन पट्टा स्वीकृत करने हेतू इस कार्यलय के पत्रांक 693/30 एम0एम0 सी0/2019/20 दिनांक 28.7.2020 के द्वारा सहमति कतिपय शर्तों के आधीन प्रदान की गयी थी।
ऊपरलिखित सहमति पत्र इस शर्त के आधीन दी गयी थी कि संबन्धित पट्टा क्षेत्र के पूर्ववर्ती पट्टाधारक, जिसका पट्टा हाल ही में समाप्त हुआ हो, को ई-निविदा सह ई-निलामी की सम्पूर्ण प्रक्रिया समाप्त होने के उपरान्त एक कार्यदिवस के भीतर सम्बन्धित पट्टा क्षेत्र पर पूर्ण प्रादेशिक (Teritorial) अधिकारिता रखने वाले जिला मजिस्ट्रेट के समक्ष प्रस्ताव, जो उच्चतम बोली से अधिक हो, प्रस्तुत करने का एक अवसर नियम-23 (2) के शर्तों के अधीन दिया जायेगा।
उपरोक्तानुसार पूर्ववर्ती पट्टाधारक, जिसने पंजीकरण के समय बिन्दू संख्या-11 (6) के अनुसार पूर्ववर्ती पट्टाधारक होने का प्रमाण पत्र प्रस्तुत किया हो तथा द्वितीय चरण की ई-नीलामी प्रक्रिया में भाग लिया हो, को क्षेत्र विशेष की नीलामी पूर्ण होने पर इसके उच्चतम बोली को स्वतः संज्ञान में लेकर उससे अधिक की पेशकेश/ऑफर का पत्र अपने हस्ताक्षर सहित स्कैन कर अपने रजिस्टर्ड ई0-मेल आई0डी0 के माध्यम से ई-नीलामी की समाप्ति की तिथि से अगले कार्य दिवस के सायं- 5:00 बजे तक जिलाधिकारी के ई-मेल आई0डी0 एवं एम0एस0टी0सी0 के ई-मेल आई0डी0 पर प्रस्तुत करने का विकल्प होना, अन्यथा की दशा में पूर्ववर्ती पट्टाधारक होने के आधार पर उपरोक्त प्राथमिकता का उत्तर प्रदेश उपखनिज (परिहार) नियमावली-1963 (यथासंशोधित) के नियम-23(2)(ख) के अन्तर्गत लाभ नहीं मिलेगा"।
शाखा प्रबन्ध एम0एम0टी0सी0 लि0 द्वारा उपलब्ध करायी गयी ई-मेल द्वारा दिनांक: 30.07.2020 सूचना के अनुसार आप द्वारा इस कार्यालय के विज्ञप्ति रु0 219 दिनाँक 24.05.2020 के क्रमाँक 17 पर अंकित क्षेत्र के द्वितीय चरण की ई-नीलामी में भाग नहीं लिया गया था।
अतएव विषयगत क्षेत्र के लिए इस कार्यालय के पत्र संख्या 693/एम0एम0सी0/2019-20 दिनाँक 28.07.2020 द्वारा खनन पट्टा की स्वीकृत हेतु दी गयी सहमति एतद्द्वारा वापस की जाती है।
(आन्द्रा यामसी) जिलाधिकारी, झाँसी।
It is evident from the aforesaid order dated 4.8.2020 that the Letter of Intent dated 28.7.2020 had been recalled purportedly on the ground that MSTC had communicated by E-mail dated 30.7.2020 that respondent no.7 had not participated in the second round of E-auction.
The averments and documents on record reveal that respondent No.7 had taken steps for registration of E-Tender-cum-E-Auction proceeding pursuant to issuance of advertisement dated 24.5.2020 and had duly obtained access to the MSTC website where the E-Tender-cum-E-Auction proceedings were conducted on 18.7.2020. However, it could not place its bid during the auction despite efforts to do so purportedly due to a technical issue. The email issued by MSTC to the respondent no.7 as well as to the petitioner on 18.7.2020 at 10.42 a.m. that have been enclosed as Annexure CA-3 and CA-4 respectively to the counter affidavit filed by respondent no.7, reveal that bid of respondent no.7 was not among the top five ranked of the initial price offers. It has, however, been mentioned in both the emails that the immediate preceding leaseholder will be eligible to participate in the E-auction provided it has registered and participated in that E-Tender-cum-E-Auction Event. This statement is apparently in consonance with the terms of the advertisement dated 24.5.2020. In the counter affidavit of respondent no.7 the categorical averment that it had accessed the system and participated in the bidding process (as mentioned in paragraph 14 thereof) has been answered in paragraph no. 3 of the rejoinder affidavit on behalf of the petitioner as follows:-
"3. That the contents of paragraph no. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 & 17 of the counter affidavit is the matter of record, thus needs no comment from the answering petitioner. However, it is submitted that the respondent no.7 has not participated in the second round of e-auction which is a mandatory condition precedent to avail the benefit of being the erstwhile lease holder in view of the tender condition No. 14(2)(e). It is admitted to the respondent no.7 that he is not among the first five bidders in the first round and his non participation in the second round is affirmed and reaffirmed with this fact that he utterly failed to reveal his bid amount given in the second round if he has participated at all.
The screen shots of the computer screen appended by respondent no.7 as Annexure CA-5 to its counter affidavit to demonstrate its accessing the system of MSTC during e-auction have not been specifically denied. In its counter affidavit, the respondent no.7 has enclosed as Annexure CA-7 its email sent to MSTC on 18.7.2020 at 12.42 pm and the reply of MSTC to it on the same day at 1.00 p.m. The aforesaid two messages, respectively, are as follows:-
From: Rajesh Mariwalla [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2020 12:42 PM To:[email protected];[email protected];[email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Priority certificate for existing lease holder not given chance to participate in auction Dear Sir, Please find attachment certificate for existing lease holder, We have participated in stone mining Jhansi S.No. 17 Village Ramnagar, Rakwa No. 768/4.406 Hectare today scheduled to be auctioned in 12 PM ot 2 PM. So MSTC not given chance for auction due to not mentioning PAN No. in the existing certificate. So I want to inform you that kindly grant me priority as per old existing certificate.
- - - - - - - - - - -
From:
To: mariwalla, [email protected] Cc:mining office [email protected], [email protected], Nitin Anand [email protected], [email protected].
Dear Sir Previous lease holder is determined on the basis of PAN Number as per the details provided by concerned district Mines office. PAN number details are required to ascertain the identity. You may give your representation to district Mines Office Jhansi under Rule 23(2)[k applicable for previous lease holder.
Lknj ,oa /kU;okn/Thanks and Regards fot;Ur ukjk;.k flag/Vijyant Narayan Singh lgk;d izca/kd/Assistant Manager ,e -,l -Vh -lh fyfeVsM/ MSTC Limited Hkkjr ljdkj dk midze/ Govt. of India Enterprise It is apparent that it was conceded by respondent no.7 that chance for auction was not being given due to not mentioning PAN number in existing certificate of lease holder. However, priority was sought as per old existing certificate. The respondent no.7 was admittedly a previous lease holder and it had submitted the relevant documents and it was only thereafter that it was accorded necessary clearance for participating in E-Tender-cum-E-Auction process by MSTC. In its counter affidavit, the respondent no.7 has enclosed as Annexure CA-10 an email dated 23.7.2020 issued by MSTC to respondent no.7 informing it as follows:-
"Intimation Mail E-Tender-cum-E-Auction of Insitu Rocks and Stone Chips in UTTAR PRADESH E-Auction Ref No: MSTC/LKO/Uttar Pradesh/Jhansi/34/20-21/2425 Period: 18.07.2020 -12.00 PM- 18.07.2020 -02:04PM Lot Description: JHANSI_BOULDER/GITTI_017 Kind Attention: RAJESH MARIWALLA [mstc/KANPUR GRANITE STONE CO/100682] Dear Sir/Madam, As per terms and conditions, You are the highest bidder.
As per terms and conditions, you are now immediately required to get all your requisite documents verified as per instructions mentioned in Vigyapti/Tender Document issued from district. Acceptance/Rejection of your bid will be as per decision of the Competent Authority.
From MSTC ADMIN"
Therefore, pursuant to the communication to the respondent no.7 that it was the highest bidder, only the requisite documents were required to be verified as per instructions mentioned in the advertisement/tender document issued from the District. In the advertisement of 24.5.2020, the requisite was the uploading of a certificate issued by the District Magistrate in respect of previous leaseholder whose lease had come to an end recently. The email of MSTC dated 18.7.2020 issued to respondent no.7 does not reflect that the certificate of previous leaseholder was not uploaded by respondent no.7. Only this has been mentioned that the PAN number details are required. Moreover, the email of 23.7.2020 sent by MSTC to respondent no.7 does not reflect any issue with regard to non-availability of previous leaseholder certificate or, even for that matter, non-availability of PAN details of respondent no.7. Further, the email sent by MSTC dated 30.7.2020 to the Mining office at Jhansi refers only to the PAN card details of respondent no.7 and only states that respondent no.7 could not participate. This e-mail does not say that respondent no.7 did not login to the website for the second round of E-auction. Accordingly, the letter dated 4.8.2020 issued by the District Magistrate to respondent no.7 recalling the Letter of Intent dated 28.7.2020 does not reflect the correct facts with regard to participation of respondent no.7 in the second round of e-auction process.
Considering the proximity in time of exchange of emails between respondent no. 7 and MSTC on 18.7.2020 (which was the day of auction) and subsequent emails; and, the issue regarding non-participation of respondent no.7 in the second round of E-auction is not reflected in the emails sent by MSTC to respondent no.7 as well as to the District Magistrate; and, the statement that respondent no.7 had uploaded requisite document and certificate as previous leaseholder on the MSTC web portal not being contradicted by the MSTC in its email of 30.7.2020 sent by it to the District Magistrate (on the basis of which order dated 4.8.2020 was passed by the District Magistrate), it is held that the order dated 4.8.2020 passed by the District Magistrate recalling the Letter of Intent dated 28.7.2020 is contrary to the record as well as in violation of principle of natural justice. The email dated 23.07.2020 sent by MSTC to the respondent no.7 as well as the report sent by MSTC to the District Magistrate clinch the issue that the respondent no.7 found place as a bidder on conclusion of the e-auction, being the previous lease holder and its bid was the highest. It is not refuted that the respondent no.7 had accessed the website of MSTC and logged in during the e-auction but for some reason could not place the bid. Under the circumstances, once the Letter of Intent had been duly issued to respondent no.7 pursuant to report furnished by MSTC to the District Magistrate, it was not for the District Magistrate to have cursorily recalled the Letter of Intent issued in favour of respondent no.7. Under the circumstances, challenge to the order dated 15.10.2020 passed by the Commissioner, Jhansi Division cannot be sustained.
This writ petition, accordingly fails and is dismissed.
No costs.
Order Date :- 17.2.2021
sfa/SK/A. V. Singh
(Jayant Banerji, J.) (Sanjay Yadav, J.)