( 1 ) IN all these Writ Petitions the petitioners are highest bidders in the auction conducted to lease out the right to quarry sand in watercourses falling within the jurisdiction of respective Gram Panchayats in Srikakulam District. All the petitioners are aggrieved by a Notification dt. 30-5-2000 issued by the District Level Committee proposing to re-auction the right to quarry sand on 16-6-2000 in certain villages. In view of the fact that the Notification impugned is the same, the Writ Petitions are being disposed of by this common order at the stage of admission with the consent of the learned counsel for the respective parties.

( 2 ) THE averments in the affidavit accompanying the Writ Petition No. 9767 of 2000 may briefly be noticed.

( 3 ) THE first respondent, through its Member Convenor (third respondent herein), issued Sand Auction Notification dt. 24-4-2000 in accordance with A. P. Panchayat Raj (Auction of Sand in Water Courses Vesting in Gram Panchayats) Rules, 2000 (hereafter called the sand Rules ). As per the Notification the upset price for Karajada Village in Srikakulam District was fixed at Rupees 1,92,000/ -. The auction was held on 10-5-2000