ORDER (Per Chief Justice):

1. The petitioner claims to be a social activist. In this petition filed as Public Interest Litigation, the petitioner, inter alia, seeks a direction to respondent nos.1 to 4 to follow the procedure laid down by the Central Vigilance Commission (Public Procurement Manual) while awarding tenders/contracts in respect of collection and disposal of solid waste in the cities of Thane, Panvel and Navi Mumbai. The petitioner, in addition, seeks a direction that while awarding tenders in future for the purposes of collection and disposal of solid waste in the State, the guidelines for award of contract should be framed.

2. Respondent nos.2 to 4 are Municipal Corporations of Thane, Panvel and Navi Mumbai respectively and are established under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949. The respondent nos. 2 to 4 have issued various tenders for City Cleaning Services. Pursuant to the aforesaid notice inviting tender, several persons submitted their bids. Respondent nos.5, 6 and 7 have been held eligible to participate in the tender and all the three Municipal Corporations have granted the tender to respondent no.7.

3. In the aforesaid factual background, the pe