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(iii) For the lands more than 10 acres, there will be tendering.

However, the existing lessee should be permitted to match with the H-I bidder and if he does so the lease would be renewed in his name.

(iv) There should be a pre-condition that the existing lessees should have complied with all the terms and conditions of the existing lease to be eligible for renewal of lease." From the above minutes it is clear that there may be no auction in cases of lessees having land less than 10 acres or the Cooperatives societies in which land holding of each member is less than 10 acres and for the lands more than 10 acres, there will be tendering. However, the existing lessee should be permitted to match with the H-I bidder and if he does so the lease would be renewed in his name. But a perusal of the letter dated 11.07.2016 addressed by the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India to the Salt Commissioner, Office of Salt Commissioner, Rajasthan, goes to show that the Salt Commissioner's Organization, Jaipur had requested not to renew or grant any lease till Cabinet takes a decision on the subject matter. For the sake of convenience, the relevant paragraphs are reproduced as follows: 

       "To:                                                11th July, 2016

       The Salt Commissioner,
       Office of Salt Commissioner
       Lavan Bhawan, 2-A Lavan marg,
 17                                                                   ARR,J
                                                  WP Nos.35321_2014 & batch




     Jhalana Doongri, Jaipur,
     Rajasthan-302004.

     Sub: Lease of salt pan lands-regarding




     Sir,

I am directed to refer to your letter No.1(1)P/97/V/11674, dated 29th October, 2015 on the subject mentioned above and to state that a Note for the consideration of the Cabinet on closure of Salt Commissioner's Organization (SCO) and disposal of salt pan lands is under finalization, which shall be moved shortly.

2. In view of the above, Salt Commissioner's Organization, Jaipur is requested not to renew or grant any lease till Cabinet takes a decision on the subject matter.

3. This issues with the approval of Secretary, IPP.

Yours faithfully Sd/-

(Narender Kumar) Deputy Secretary to the Govt.of India."

Admittedly, the aforesaid letter is subsequent to the minutes of the meeting dated 06.05.2015 and the Government of India intends to close the Salt Commissioner's Organization and a note to that is also pending for consideration before the Cabinet. Therefore, no favourable orders can be issued for renewal /grant of any leases in favour of the petitioners.

At this juncture, learned Senior Counsel submits that the aforesaid letter dated 11.07.2016 is not issued by the Secretary to the Government of India, as such, same cannot be looked into. But in the 3rd paragraph of the letter, it is categorically stated that the said letter issued with the approval of the Secretary, IPP, as such, it cannot be said that 18 ARR,J WP Nos.35321_2014 & batch the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India has no right to issue such communication to the Salt Commissioner.