JUDGMENT

Dr. Arijit Pasayat, J.—Challenge in these appeals is to the judgment of a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court holding that the order of cancellation dated 13.4.2005 passed by respondent No.2 was illegal and that respondent No.1 was entitled to further time to furnish the bank guarantee after the order granting exemption in terms of Section 81(3)(b) of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, 1963 (in short the ‘Act’) is issued.

2. The background facts in a nutshell are as follows:

The State Government transferred 51.96 acres of land in favour of Goshree Island Development Authority (in short the ‘GIDA) a non statutory State Government Undertaking to enable it to sell it and to use the proceeds for its developmental schemes. GIDA was authorized to sell the land in public auction in part or in full. GIDA invited tenders on several occasions but the tenders were cancelled. Finally, as per Notification dated 10.1.2005 fresh tenders were invited and pre bid meeting was held on 10.2.2005. Tenders were submitted, which were opened on 16.2.2005. In the tender documents four options were indicated. The individual extent of plots mentioned in option IV which was accepted by the GIDA was les