230 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-31859-2025 (O&M) Date of Decision : 16.07.2026 PREMJIT …. Petitioner VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS …. Respondents CORAM : HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE ALKA SARIN HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE NEERJA K. KALSON Present : Ms. Armaan Saggar, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Mandeep Kaur, DAG Punjab for respondent Nos.1 to 5. Mr. Amit Jhanji, Senior Advocate with Mr. Nitin Kaushal, Advocate and Mr. Shashank Shekhar Sharma, Advocate for respondent No.6. ALKA SARIN, J. (ORAL) 1. The present writ petition has been filed challenging the orders dated 14.10.2025 passed by the Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs-cum-First Appellate Authority and dated 21.10.2025 passed by the Principal Secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs-cum-Second Appellate Authority. Challenge in a nutshell to the impugned orders is on the ground that though the rejection of the bid by the First Appellate Authority was only in view of Clause 5E of the Punjab Foodgrains Labour and Cartage Policy, 2025, however, the Second Appellate Authority held it to be rejected in view of Clause 5E Note-IV of the Punjab Foodgrains Labour and Cartage Policy, 2025. AMAN JAIN 2026.07.17 12:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment CWP-31859-2025 (O&M) -2- 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that Clause 5E Note- IV of the Punjab Foodgrains Labour and Cartage Policy, 2025 was never a ground for rejection of the bid by the First Appellate Authority and as such the bid could not have been rejected. The appeal was dismissed by the Second Appellate Authority in view of Clause 5E Note-IV. 3. Learned counsel for respondent Nos.1 to 5 as well as learned senior counsel for respondent No.6, who is the successful bidder, are ad idem that the matter may be remanded back to the First Appellate Authority to be decided afresh in view of the fact that the rejection order only states that the bid was rejected under Clause 5E and not under Clause 5E Note-IV of the Punjab Foodgrains Labour and Cartage Policy, 2025. 4. In view of the above, the present writ petition is allowed. Both the impugned orders dated 14.10.2025 and dated 21.10.2025 are set aside. The matter is remanded back to the Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs-cum-First Appellate Authority to be decided afresh in accordance with law within a period of 15 days from the date of appearance of the parties. The parties are directed to appear before the Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs-cum-First Appellate Authority on 20.07.2026 at 10:00 am. 5. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed off. (ALKA SARIN) JUDGE (NEERJA K. KALSON) 16.07.2026 JUDGE Aman Jain NOTE: Whether speaking/non-speaking: Speaking Whether reportable: Yes/No AMAN JAIN 2026.07.17 12:54 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment