THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No.27204 of 2010 ORDER: In this writ petition, petitioner has questioned tender notification, dated 19.10.2010, issued by the third respondent - Executive Officer of Swayambu Sri Varasiddi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Kanipakam, inviting bids for grant of licenses by way of open auction. It is the case of the petitioner that for the last year, he was the licensee for sale of pooja material and he became highest bidder in the open auction by quoting Rs.54,760/- and the lease period expired by 31.10.2010. It is submitted that the petitioner has filed representations for extension of lease period and without considering the same, the respondents have notified the auction. It is also submitted that the impugned notification is in violation of the orders issued by the Government in Memo bearing No.201/5/Endt.I(2)/2010-1, dated 18.05.2010. A counter-affidavit is filed denying various allegations made by the petitioner. It is stated therein that the petitioner is not a licensee and is only a licensee for one year, which ended by 31.10.2010. It is further stated that Memo, dated 18.05.2010 is not applicable for the petitioner. It is also stated that the petitioner is not a person hailing from poor family as alleged and he has also participated in the public auction conducted on 09.11.2009 for grant of licenses for maintaining shoe and sandal keeping stall for the pilgrims in the temple by quoting Rs.7,50,000/- for one year period and stood as highest bidder. It is not in dispute that earlier, he was highest bidder and the license was granted in his favour only for a period of one year, which expired by 31.10.2010. I have perused the memo, dated 18.05.2010, which applies only for leases but not for the licenses issued for running the stalls in the temple premises. It is to be noticed that as per the statutory rules framed under the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987 (for short ‘the Act’), leasehold rights are to be sold in public auction only. As the petitioner was a licensee for a period of one year, which term is already expired by 31.10.2010 and as the memo, dated 18.05.2010 cannot be applied for licenses issued for running the stalls in the temple premises, it can be said that the impugned notification issued by the respondents for grant of licenses by means of open auction is in conformity with the statutory rules framed under the Act. For the aforesaid reasons, I do not find any ground to grant relief to the petitioner as prayed for. The writ petition is devoid of merit and it is accordingly dismissed. No order as to costs. _______________________ R.SUBHASH REDDY, J 8th DECEMBER, 2010. kvni