The petitioner Company, M/s. Sheba Wheels (P) Ltd., impugns the decision of the respondent, Assam Gas Com­pany Ltd., shortly 'the Gas Company', rejecting its tender for works of laying natural gas pipelines.

2. The Gas Company by a tender notice dated 13.9.1982 (Annexure I to the writ petition) invited sealed itemwise rated tenders from "competent and experienced API Standard Steel Pipeline Laying Contractors and of testing inspection of Welding, Radiography and Hydraulic Testing contractors of repute with sound technical and financial capabilities and possessing required cons­truction equipment, skilled manpower etc" for its works of laying Cross-Country natural gas pipeline, namely,-

“1. (a) Laying of 200 MM dia Cross-Country natural gas pipeline from ASEB to HFCL at Namrup, Assam and all its related works strictly as per API specifications.

Length : 3 K. M. (approx). Time to complete : One month from the date of letter of intent.

(b) Laying of 350 MM dia Cross-Country natural gas pipeline from Duliajan to Namrup, Assam and all its related works strictly as per API specifications. Length : 30 K. M. (approx). Time to complete : THREE MONTHS from the date of letter of inten