J.S. Khehar, J. - M/s Manjit Sales Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the Corporation) is admittedly a sole proprietorship firm owned by Manjit Singh. The Corporation claims to the have been supplying high class furniture to schools, hospitals, etc. from 1975. It claim a turn-over of more than rupees one crore for the financial year ending on 31.03.2000.

2. The present grievance of the Corporation commences from the issuance of an advertisement dated 15.07.1998 by the Controller of Stores, Punjab inviting tenders for supply of steel file racks and steel side racks. As per the aforesaid advertisement, tenders were to be submitted by 1.00 P.M. on 06.08.1998. In pursuance of the aforesaid advertisement, the Corporation submitted its quotations within the stipulated time. Along with the quotations, it also sent a sample, besides, earnest money of Rs. 500/-.

3. In response to the quotations submitted by the Corporation, the Controller of Stores, Punjab addressed a letter dated 02.06.1999 to the Corporation requiring it to confirm the rates expressed in the said letter (dated 02.06.1999) within a period of ten days. The Corporation complied with the requirement of the afores