Section 18(1) in The Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board (Engineering Wing) Execution of Works Rules, 1979
(1)The tenders shall be opened by the Executive Engineer or on his behalf by the Assistant Engineer in the presence of the Divisional Accountant, Head Clerks and such of the Contractors who may care to be present at the [appointed time. In case of tenders relating to works of Market Committee, the tenders shall be open in the presence of Chairman, Market Committee, District Mandi Officer or his representative, Secretary, Market Committee, Divisional Accountant, and Head Clerk. The rate] [Substituted for the words ;appointed time. The rate' vide Punjab Notification dated 10.5.2000.] of each tender should be announced and written in words on the tender by the officer opening the tenders, under his dated initials. Tenders not accompanied by the requisite amount of earnest money shall not be entertained and the same may be returned or kept aside without announcing the rate thereof. All other tenders shall be entered in the tender register by the Officer opening the tenders. In case any contractor other than the lowest three wants his earnest money back, the same may be returned to him the same day. Earnest money shall not be adjusted against any pending dues of the contractor.
