JUDGMENT :

(Aravind Kumar, J.)

1. Since both these petitions are related to same tender process to be carried out by virtue of E-Tender Notice No.14 of 2021-22 (Tender ID No.502430) floated by the respondent-authority, and since the request is made by the learned advocates to hear and dispose of both these petitions conjointly, we deem it proper to consider the request, and accordingly, both these petitions are taken up for hearing and being disposed of by this common order.

2. Since the Special Civil Application No.14857 of 2022 is filed not only first in point of time but is a matter pertaining to the grievance about non-consideration of tender of the petitioner, we deem it proper to treat this petition as the lead matter and the facts, for the sake of convenience, are taken from the said petition.

3. Subsequent petition, i.e., Special Civil Application No.19459 of 2022 is filed by the concerned petitioner seeking direction to the respondent-authority to proceed further with the E-Tender Notice No.14 of 2021-22 (Tender ID No.502430), hence we deem it proper to deal with the lead petition at the first instance.

4. The background of facts which has given rise to filing of aforesaid lead petition is that the petitioner is a joint venture entity incorporated for the purpose of bidding E-Tender Notice No.14 of 2021-22 (Tender ID No.502430) floated by the respondent authority, namely, Narmada Water Resources, Water Supply and Kalpsar Division, Government of Gujarat for desilting of river Tapi in upstream of Singanpore weir (hereinafter referred to as “impugned tender”). The said joint venture agreement stated to have been executed on 08.04.2022 between M/s. Siddhi Vinayak Knots & Prints Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. Alpeshkumar Babulal Panchal.

5. It is the case of the petitioner that on 21.01.2022, the respondent No.2-authority invited bids as indicated above for tender in question and the process of such tender was being done through N-procure (a tender management portal for Government of Gujarat). The lead member of the petitioner joint venture, i.e,. JV-M/s. Siddhi Vinayak Knots & Prints Pvt. Ltd. is a registered entity on the said portal. The last date for submission of bid was fixed as 14.01.2022 and for tendering documents in physical, a date was prescribed as 19.02.2022. According to the petitioner, the technical bids pertaining to the impugned tender were to be opened on 21.02.2022.

6. The case of the petitioner is that eligibility criteria is prescribed in the tender notice in Clause-III which essentially require following particulars. The chart related to it quoted in the petition is reproduced hereunder :