WP(C) 3208/2008 BEFORE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE H N SARMA Heard Mr S Borthakur, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr I Choudhury, lea rned SC, PWD. The grievance raised in this writ petition is that three ferry services, namely 1) Bhaluk Chiga / (Bhimpara Br No 10/1), 2) Borchiga and 3) Kilakilee operating in the district of North Lakhimpur falling under the Executive Engineer, PWD, L akhimpur Rural Road Division, North Lakhimpur, is allowed to be run for lst two years without inviting tenders. Mr Borthakur referring to the impugned order of settlement dated 18.6.2008 issue d by the Executive Engineer, PWD, Lakhimpur Rural Road Division, North Lakhimpur , has pointed out that the aforesaid settlement was made at the political influe nce without calling for any tender. Mr Choudhury upon instruction submits that in fact while passing the impugned or der no NIT was issued and the ferry has been settled to the private respondent. In view of the above facts, It is directed that the ferry service in question be settled by the Executive Engineer, PWD, Lakhimpur Rural Road Division, North La khimpur, in accordance with law and relevant Rules by inviting tender and such settlement shall be made within a period 3 weeks from the date of receipt of a c ertified copy of this order. It is open for the respondent authorities to run th e ferry service for the aforesaid period of 3 weeks departmentally. With the aforesaid observation and direction, this writ petition stands disposed of.