Rajive Bhalla, J. - (1.) By way of this order, we shall decide Civil Writ Petition Nos. 26367 and 26769 of 2014, 1236 and 8355 of 2015 as they involve an answer to the same questions of fact and law.
(2.) The dispute, in the present case, arises from the "allotment" of 40 mines, to the Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "the PSIEC") (a company owned by the State of Punjab), after the petitioners bid for and were allotted certain mines at commercial rates.
(3.) The facts, in brief, are that the State of Punjab invited bids at reserve price by e -auction, for grant of contracts to excavate minor minerals, in various districts. The petitioners participated in the auction and were declared successful. The petitioner, in Civil Writ Petition No. 26769 of 2014, was allotted the Deowal mine situated in Hoshiarpur at Rs. 126.52 per ton, i.e., a total amount of Rs. 90,12,345/ - per year. The petitioner, in Civil Writ Petition No. 26367 of 2014, was allotted a mine at village Kakrali, District SAS Nagar, for excavation of 57000 tons of minerals, at the rate of Rs. 135.07 per ton and was required to pay Rs. 77,00,000/ -. The petitioner, in Civil Writ Petition No. 1236 of 2015, was allotted a quarry at village Aligran, in District Ropar at the rate of Rs. 1682.38 per ton for extraction of 16643 tons and was required to pay Rs. 2,80,00,000/ -. The petitioners, apart from the bid amount, were required to pay earnest money before the auction; 1/3rd of the bid amount, i.e., 33% as compensation to the land owners; 25% of the amount of the lease amount as security in three monthly installments in advance, stamp duty at the rate of 4% of the bid amount and advance installments of contract money etc. The petitioners' bid were accepted and allotments made and approved on 28.5.2013.;