JUDGMENT :

B.R. Sarangi, J.

The petitioner, by means of this writ petition, seeks to quash the letter dated 20.12.2021 issued by the Tahasildar, Kashinagar under Annexure-6, by which he has been intimated that the Collector, Gajapati-cum-Controlling Authority has cancelled the bid of Khandava Sand Quarry in terms of Rule 27 (10) of the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, owing to the reason, as communicated by the Additional District Magistrate, Gajapati in his letter dated 17.12.2021.

2. The factual matrix of the case, in brief, is that a notice bearing no. 4898/Sairat was issued on 20.09.2021 by the Tahasildar, Kashinagar-opposite party no.4 inviting applications from the intending bidders to participate in the auction for grant of long-term lease of different sairat sources under Kashinagar Tahasil in the State of Odisha, for a period of 5 years from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26, as per the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 (for short “OMMC Rules, 2016”). In the said notice, Khandava Sand Quarry, which was one of the sairat sources, had been put to auction. As per the said notice, interested bidders were required to apply in Form-M enclosing the required