WP(C) 3682/2009 BEFORE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE B D AGARWAL Heard Sri P Sundi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri B C Saikia, learned Government Advocate for respondent Nos. 1 to 4. The private respondent No. 5 has not appeared. This writ petition has been filed basically seeking a direction from this Court to the State respondents to settle Baralimari by-weekly Bazaar t o the highest bidder. According to the learned counsel, the Zila Parishad invited tend ers for settlement of the aforesaid market for the period from 01.07.2009 to 30. 06.2010. Accordingly, nine intending persons submitted their tenders and the wri t petitioner was found to be the second highest bidder. At the same time, the re spondent No. 5 was lowest bidder. Despite that position, the Zila Parishad took a decision to settle the market with the respondent No. 5, who was the lowest bi dder. As per the rule, the Zila Parishad forwarded their decision to the Governm ent for approval. However, the Government did not approve the same and despite t hat the Zila Parishad has not settled the market either with the highest bidder or with the next bidder. In the affidavit-in-opposition filed by the Chief Executive Offi cer, Zila Parishad, it has been admitted that the Government has rejected the pr oposal of the Zila Parishad to approve their decision to settle the market with the lowest bidder. Hence, the Zila Parishad is incumbent to settle the market in accordance with the relevant rules preferring to the highest bidder. In case, t he highest bidder’s case is found to be defective or unacceptable, the Zila Pari shad is at liberty to settle the market with the next highest bidder. Since the period of settlement is going to expire by 30th of June 2010, the Zila Parishad is expected to take a decision in this regard within a period of 2 (two) weeks f rom the date of receipt of a copy of this Judgment. With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. The stay order dated 02.09.2009 stands vacated.