JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. T. Taba, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Ms. P. Pangu, learned Government Advocate for the respondent no. 1 and Mr. B. Picha, learned Standing counsel for the Rural Works Department, representing the respondent nos. 2 to 7 as well as Ms. N. Danggen, learned counsel for the respondent no. 8.

2. The petitioner and the respondent no. 8 had both participated in the NIT/IOB, published on 21.08.2023 for supply and procurement of materials pertaining to MGNREGA works-2023-24 for CD Block, Polosang under Kurung Kumey District being, Package No. VIII. The said tender was issued by the Office of the Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Koloriang, Kurung Kumey District. As per the comparative statements of the tabulation, the firm of the petitioner, namely, M/s. Pacho Enterprise had submitted a bid amount of Rs. 1,45,11,061.00/-, and was adjudged as L1 bidder. The NIT amount was Rs. 1,61,24,194/-. Accordingly, the bid quoted by the petitioner was (-) 10.00443 % less than the NIT amount. The respondent no. 8 i.e. M/s. N. K. Enterprise had quoted the bid amount of Rs. 1,41,89,286/- which was (-) 12.00003% less than the NIT amount and according