Ritu Bahri, J. - (1.) THE petitioner is seeking quashing of the auction notice dated 23.04.2013 (Annexure P -4) issued by respondent No. 1 for auction of cycle stand/car parking/auto rickshaw stand.
(2.) GRIEVANCE of the petitioner is that pursuant to the auction notice dated 10.04.2013 (Annexure P -1), he was the highest bidder for the cycle stand and had deposited Rs. 10,000/ - with the respondents. The auction had to be approved by the Managing Director, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Patiala. Subsequently, a fresh notice dated 23.04.2013 (Annexure P -4) has been issued. Respondent Nos. 1 and 2, in their written statement, have stated that the earlier auction was not confirmed by the Managing Director, PRTC and there had to be minimum increase of 10% in the monthly licence fee after 11 months and thereafter, 15% of licence fee in the second term. In the preceding year 2012 -13, which was valid till 30.04.2013, the cycle stand was allotted to the petitioner for a sum of Rs. 1,86,000/ - per month. The petitioner had given a bid for Rs. 1,88,000/ - per month for the year 2013 -14, which was declined as it was against the Committee report dated 02.11.2007 (Annexure R -1). Pursuant to this decision, fresh auction notice dated 23.04.2013 (Annexure P -4), in which the highest bid was for a sum of Rs. 2,20,600/ - per month, which is higher than the previous bid.
(3.) DURING the pendency of this petition, vide order dated 26.04.2013, this Court had given a direction not to finalize the auction proceedings pursuant to the notice (Annexure P -4). The impugned notice (Annexure P -4) was also for 11 months and that period has now expired in April, 2014.;