JUDGMENT :

ARUN DEV CHOUDHURY, J.

1. Heard Mr. P.K. Goswami, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. P. Choudhury, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. J. Roy, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. N. Deka, learned standing counsel for the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd.

2. The Challenge in the writ petition:

(I) The present writ petition is filed assailing clause 2.0, 6.0, 7.1, 8.1 and 16 of the e-notice dated 01.07.2022 issued by the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (hereinafter referred to as NRL) for appointment of Wax Distributor in six new locations, namely, Agartala, Ahmadabad, Bhupal, Kanpur, Patna and Amritshar. However, during the course of argument, the petitioner has given up the challenge to the clause 2.0, 7.1, 8.1 and to clause 16, however, the challenge to clause No. 6 is being urged by the learned counsel for the petitioner. This court under its order dated 21.10.2022 issued notice to the respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 3. However, no notice was issued to the private respondents.

(II) The petitioner is a registered partnership firm and is engaged in business of supply of polymers, plasticizers, Waxes, industrial and chemical raw materials and finished petroleum products and is a