JUDGMENT :

(Ahanthem Bimol Singh, J.) :

Heard Dr. R.K Deepak, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr. A. Vashum, learned GA appearing for the respondents.

[2] The present ten writ petitions had been filed with the prayer, inter alia, for quashing and setting aside the impugned orders dated 26-04-2022, which cancelled the work orders dated 12-06-2020 issued in favor of the petitioner, as well as for quashing and setting aside the fresh NITs dated 11-05-2022 and also for directing the respondents to allow the petitioner to commence the contract work by re-scheduling the date of commencement of the work.

As the facts and issues involved in the ten writ petitions are the same, all the writ petitions were heard jointly and being disposed of by this common judgment and order.

[3] The petitioner is a registered special class contractor in the department of Tribal Affairs & Hills, Government of Manipur. The case of the petitioner is that with a view to enhance infrastructure development in the hills district of Manipur, the State Cabinet took a decision in its meeting held on 12-10-2019 to adopt restricted tender for the contract work of infrastructure development of 3 (three) Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Moreh, Tamenglong & Gamnom, Sapermaina. Pursuant to the said Cabinet decision, the Under Secretary (Tribal Affairs & Hills), Government of Manipur sent a proposal to the Director, Tribal Affairs & Hills, Govt. of Manipur to adopt restricted tender in respect of the contract works for infrastructure development for the said three EMRS where estimated cost of each work is less than 1.5 crore, vide letter dated 25-10-2019. After obtaining the approval of the Government, the Executive Engineer, Tribal Affairs & Hills, Government of Manipur issued three separate notices bearing numbers 2, 3 & 4, all dated 10-02-2020 inviting restricted sealed tender from intending approved and eligible registered contractors of the department for execution of the works mentioned in the said NITs.

[4] The petitioner submitted bids in respect of 10 (ten) works and having found to be the lowest bidder and having fulfilled all the terms and conditions of the tender, the petitioner was awarded the following works by issuing ten separate work orders all dated 12-06-2020 issued by the Executive Engineer-II, Tribal Affairs & Hills, Manipur :-

(a) Eklavya Model Residential School, Tamenglong :

(i) Renovation of school building;

(ii) Renovation of hostel building Block – A and construction of toilet block and septic tank;

(iii) Renovation of hostel building Block – B and construction of toilet block and septic tank; and

(iv) Construction and Science Block i/c internal electrification

(b) Eklavya Model Residential School, Moreh, Tengnoupal:

(i) Construction of Science Block;

(ii) Construction of four numbers of Staff quarters Block – A; and

(iii) Construction of four numbers of Staff quarters Block - B

(c) Eklavya Model Residential School, Gamnom, Sapermaina:

(i) Construction of Science Block;

(ii) Construction of hostel building Block – A; and

(iii) Construction of hostel building Block – B.

As per the said work orders, the time allowed for executing the work was given as 12 (twelve) months and the following terms and conditions were also given:-

Terms and Condition

1. You are requested to attend the office of the undersigned to complete the Agreement and other formalities within 7 days from the issue of the letter.

2. The date of start of the w