WP(C) 2210/2008 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B.K. SHARMA Heard Mr. A.K. Goswami, learned Sr. Counsel, assisted by Ms. P. Bhuyan, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr. A. Bhuyan, learned Sta nding Counsel, Inland Water Transport (IWT) Department. I have also heard Mr. M. Rajbongshi, learned counsel representing the respondent No. 5. By means of this writ petition, the petitioner has challenged th e Annexure-IV tender notice dated 19.5.2008, by which sealed tenders have been i nvited amongst other for settlement of D/M/B ferry service for the financial yea r 2008-09. The petitioner, by his Annexure-I representation made to the Min ister, Department of Transport prayed for direct settlement of the ferry ghat fo r a period of three years i.e. 2008-2011. By Annexure-1A application dated 5.3.2 008, the petitioner intimated the Director of IWT that he was ready to offer 5% above the previous rate of settlement. Thereafter the petitioner conveyed his ag reement to enhance the rate by 20%. By Annexure-II letter dated 12.2.2008, the Director of IWT, Assa m asked for the views of the Executive Engineer, IWT of the Division. It is not known as to whether any views were expressed by the Executive Engineer. The Dire ctor of IWT, by Annexure-III letter dated 11.3.2008 addressed to the Chief Secre tary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department referring to the abo ve proposal intimated that considering the rate offered by the petitioner and on e Sri Kalyan Gogoi, the rate of the petitioner was in the higher side. It appears that the prayer of the petitioner did not materialize and the respondents decided to settle all the ferry ghats including the one in question by inviting tender. Accordingly, tender notice was issued on 19.5.2008 (Annexure-IV). According to the petitioner since his application was entertaine d, the respondents could not have been issued the impugned tender notice so as t o frustrate his legitimate expectation. Mr. Bhuyan, learned Standing Counsel, IWT has produced the copy of the letter dated 3.5.2008, by which the Government of Assam in the Transport Department directed the Director, IWT to settle all the ferry ghats through tend er system. It was pursuant to such Government decision, the impugned tender noti ce was issued. I do not find anything wrong in doing so. Merely because the appl ication submitted by the petitioner for direct settlement was forwarded, same ca nnot give rise to any legitimate expectation as has been contended by the petiti oner. Admittedly the prayer of the petitioner did not materialize and the tender notice has been issued as per the decision of the Government. In view of the above, I do not find any merit in the writ petiti on and accordingly, it is dismissed. Interim order passed on 3.6.2008 stands vac ated.