Heard Mr. A. K. Bhowmik, learned Sr. counsel assisted by Mr. S. Ghosh, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr. D. K. Biswas, learned counsel for the respondents.

2. The petitioner in response to the advertisement issued by the respondents submitted tender for transportation of foodgrains/sugar/allied materials from Railway head, Kumarghat to the godown of Agartala, the last date fixed for receipt of the tender was 13-9-1996. The petitioner along with the tender deposited earnest money of Rs. 1,60,000/-, on opening of the tenders, the tender of the petitioner was found fourth lowest. Earlier, the respondents on most occasions used to appoint more than one contractors for one transportation work against the single tender considering the volume of work and usually call all the valid tenderers to come for negotiations and reduce rates to that of the lowest tenderer or such other rates as may be reasonable and after negotiation, used to engage more than one contractors at negotiated rates after dividing the work between the contractors. In view of the usual practice of the respondents, the petitioner by letter dated 16-10-1996 intimated her willingness to the responde