1. Heard Mr. S. Kataki, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. D. Nath, learned State Counsel.

2. A Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) was issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Barpeta for settlement of the 4/66 Choulkhowa River Fishery. In the tender notice, it was specifically stated that the revenue for the first year of the Meen Mahal had been fixed at Rs.2,31,000/-. Pursuant to the said tender notice, the petitioner and others had submitted their respective bids and upon evaluation of the bids, it was found that three of the bidders namely, Joydev Das, Gopal Sarkar and Narahari Das had submitted bids of Rs.1,15,55,555/-, Rs. 84,00,000/- and Rs. 81,00,000/- respectively. But the bids of the said three bidders have been rejected as it was found to be invalid. The present petitioner Ranglal Das was the fourth highest bidder having quoted a rate of Rs. 21,07,000/-. It is also relevant to take note of that after the tender notice of 18.12.2016, the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Barpeta had written to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Fishery Department providing the rates of the same fishery for the last three settlements. It had been stated th