KRISHNA MURARI, J.

1. Petitioner a sole proprietorship firm engaged in the business of manufacturing of Benola Khal, Dalia and cattle feed etc. has filed the instant writ petition seeking a writ of certiorari to quash the order dated 10.11.2017 forfeiting the earnest money deposited against the tender.

2. We have heard Shri Shiv Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Shri Anhad S. Miglani, learned counsel appearing for the respondent.

3. The facts relevant for the purpose of adjudicating the issue raised herein in brief can be summarized as under:-

Respondent- Punjab State Cooperative Supply & Marketing Federation Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'the MARKFED') invited e-tenders for purchase of lot wise damaged wheat which was unfit for human consumption. The bids were closed on 22.03.2017. The terms and conditions enumerated in the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) stipulate that the tenderers were required to quote the rates in the financial bid and were at liberty to quote for any or all the lots put together separately for lot wise.

The condition further stipulated that the rates offered will be valid up to 30 days further extendable to another 15 days from the date of ope