WP(C) 3530/2011 BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B.D. AGARWAL Heard Mr. M.H. Ahmed, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. P. Roy, learned Addl. Senior Govt. Advocate, appearing for the respondent Nos. 1,2,3 and 4. With the consent of the learned counsel for both sides, the writ petitio n is being disposed of at the motion stage itself. The petitioner’s case is that pursuant to the NIT dated 16.05.2011, the writ petitioner has submitted tender for settlement of Kabaitari Bi-weekly Marke t for the year 2011-2012 under Bongaigaon Zilla Parishad. Since the bid value is Rs. 1,00,000/- (one lakh), the Baitamari Anchalik Panchayat is duty bound to fo rward the bid and other documents of the petitioner to the Zilla Parishad for se ttlement of the market in terms of Section 109 (6) of the Assam Panchayat Act, 1 994. In the case of Harez Ali & Anr. Vs. State of Assam and Ors, reported in 2009 (2) GLT 561, the Full Bench of this Court has held that if the bid amount is more t hat Rs. 1,00,000/-, the Standing Committee of the Anchalik Panchayat has to forw ard the tender papers together with the comparative chart to the Zilla Parishad for doing the needful. In the case before me, the tenders were submitted on 02.06.2011 and the tenders were opened on 07.06.2011 and till now the tender papers have not been forwarded to the Zilla Parishad. On the other hand, the Anchalik Panchayat is running the market by interim arrangement through the outside persons. Since the settlement is for a specific period, any delay for settlement of the m arket would be prejudice to the interest of the bidders. At the same time, the A nchalik Panchayat is duty bound to forward the tender papers to the Zilla Parish ad for settlement. However, there is no explanation from the Anchalik Panchayat as to why the tender papers have been retained by the said authority for more th an 6 (six) weeks. Upon hearing the learned counsel for both sides, the Executive Officer & Secreta ry, Baitamari Anchalik Panchayat, Baitamari (Respondent No. 4) is directed to fo rward the tender papers with the comparative chart to the Chief Executive Office r, Bongaigaon Zilla Parishad, Bongaigaon within a period of 1 (one) week from th e date of receipt of a copy of this order to expedite the process. The petitioner shall be at liberty to produce a certified copy of this order to the Executive Officer & Secretary, Baitamari Anchalik Panchayat, for doing the n eedful. With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition stands disposed of.