MAHESH GROVER,J - (1.) BY this judgment, we propose to dispose of C.W.P. Nos. 13360 and 15408 of 2005.
(2.) THE propositions of law as propounded in both these petitions are similar. There is a slight deviation qua facts with which we shall deal at the subsequent stage of the judgment. The State of Punjab intended to auction quarries of minor minerals, such as gravel (Bajri) and boulder in Districts of Ropar and Patiala. An auction notice for the said purpose was issued on 11.4.2005, a copy of which is attached as Annexure P1 with C.W.P. No. 13360 of 2005. However, on 10.5.2005, another notice was issued by which the general public was informed that the auction which was fixed for 25.5.2005 as per the contents of Annexure P1 would now be postponed and information regarding next date would be given subsequently.
(3.) ON 11.8.2005, a publication was done in the newspapers mentioning the next date of auction as, 25.8.2005 for District Patiala and as 29.8.2005 for District Ropar. It was stipulated in this notice that 104 quarries of the minor minerals in District Ropar and 44 quarries in District Patiala would be put to auction. The names of the quarries and Hadbast numbers were also duly mentioned.;