JUDGMENT :

Yogendra Kumar Srivastava, J.

1. Heard Sri Kshitij Shailendra, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel for the State respondents.

2. The present petition has been filed primarily seeking to raise a challenge to the order dated 21.07.2020 (annexure 1 to the writ petition) passed by the Divisional Food Controller, Kanpur Division, Kanpur (respondent no. 2) whereby the contracts awarded by the Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Uttar Pradesh, in favour of the petitioner, in respect of certain centres in District Farrukhabad, for the years 202021 and 202122 have been cancelled, and further the petitioner has been blacklisted by the department.

3. The principal ground sought to be canvassed in order to challenge the order dated 17.07.2020 is that the same has been passed in violation of the principles of natural justice and without affording a reasonable opportunity to the petitioner. It has been contended that the eligibility criteria prescribed under the government order dated 20.04.2018 is merely in the nature of a guideline and the contract g