( 1 ) THIS mandamus-appeal is at the instance of a writ-petitioner and is directed against, the order dated 10th January, 2005 passed by a learned Single Judge by which His Lordship rejected the writ application filed by the appellant in which the appellant prayed for setting aside the decision taken by the Railway Authority to cancel his selection to the post of "commission agent" for Badalpur Passenger Halt and to hold a fresh selection.

( 2 ) THERE is no dispute that pursuant to an advertisement given by the south-Eastern Railway Authority for awarding contract for working as a commission-Agent for Badalpur Passenger Halt in between Kanthi-Digha New broad Gage Section, the writ-petitioner participated in the process of selection and he was declared selected for working as a Commission-Agent by the letter of the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager/kharagpur dated 9th december, 2004.

( 3 ) SUBSEQUENTLY, by a further letter dated 22nd December, 2004, the said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager informed the appellant that the competent authority had decided to cancel the previous order awarding contract in his favour. It was further informed that the authority