Elipe Dharma Rao, J.

1. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), invited Global Tenders for grant of licence for providing comprehensive ground handling services to various airlines, operating at Chennai and Kolkata Airports, on 20.7.2009. In response to this tender, Joint venture of M/s. Bhadra International India Ltd. and Novia International viz. the ninth respondent and other bidders participated. During the tender process, the 9th respondent quoted the royalty payable to AAI at the rate of 32.5% of annual gross turn over and being the highest bidder, the licence was awarded to the 9th respondent. Against this award of licence in favour of the 9th respondent, W.P.No.28303 of 2010 has been filed as a public interest litigation on 9.12.2010. The matter was admitted on 9.3.2011 and on the same day, an interim order was passed to the effect that 'any further action that may be taken by the second respondent/Airport Authority of India shall be subject to the result of the writ petition.' It is after this that the other writ petition in W.P.No.11910 of 2011 has been filed by the petitioners. Since both the matters are inter connected with each other, they are clubbed and heard t