B.P. Dharmadhikari, J.

1. Both these petitions challenge the rejection of offers submitted by respective petitioners to the respondents / Oil Company, in pursuance of the public invitation in various newspapers in September 2013. This advertisement was published in 'Daily Lokmat' on 29th September 2013, and last date for submitting the application was 29-10-2013. As the petitioners have found not eligible and the grounds are common, we have heard both the matters together, by issuing Rule and making it returnable forthwith with consent of parties.

2. The learned Senior Adv. Mr. R.N. Dhorde with Adv. Mr. P.S. Dighe argued the matter for the petitioner in Writ Petition No.9467 of 2014, while Adv. Mr. A.V. Patil Indrale advanced the arguments on behalf of other petitioner. Adv. Smt. Anjali Dube (Vajpayee) appeared for the concerned Oil Company in both the matters. The learned ASGI Mr. S.B. Deshpande has filed appearance for respondent no.1 - Union of India, in Writ Petition No.9511 of 2014.

3. The fact, that both the petitioners filed their applications before last date, is not in dispute. Claim of petitioner Vilas Chaudhari in W.P. No.9467/2014, has not been entertained on t