33 jdt. 14.10.2026 jb. WPA 17468 of 2026 (Ganga Chowdhury vs. State of West Bengal & Ors.) Shahan Shah Shahjahan Ms. Sanjita Sarkar …. For the Petitioner Mr. Anirudhya Dutta Ms. Oisani Mukherjee …. For the State The 5th respondent is not represented despite service. Pursuant to a notice inviting tender floated by the District Engineer, Purba Bardhaman Zilla Parishad on 27th November, 2024, the petitioner participated in the tender and was declared as the highest bidder in respect of Nasratpur Ferry Ghat. The letter of acceptance cum work order was issued in his favour on payment of lease rent for the first year of lease. However, he was restrained from operating the Ferry Ghat on the ground of exorbitant hike in toll charges for which he was unable to commence operation. He submitted several representations before the concerned authority requesting reduction of the toll charges as well as the lease rent in order to enable him to operate Ferry Ghat smoothly. The representations are yet to be considered. The petitioner seeks consideration of the same. 2 Learned counsel for the State submits that though the letter of acceptance cum notice to proceed with the work issued on 8th January, 2025 indicates payment of incremental lease amount for the second year at the rate of 10% for the first year lease rent, such amount has not been deposited by the petitioner who has also not approached the authority to disclose the revenue generated by him in course of operation of the Ferry Ghat and other details of such operation. Upon consideration of the submission made on behalf of the parties, this Court is inclined to hold that since the representations submitted by the petitioner in this regard are pending before the authority, the Sabhadhipati, Purba Bardhaman Zilla Parishad, being the 5th respondent herein, is directed to consider and dispose of the same within four weeks from the date of communication of this order upon granting reasonable opportunity of hearing to all concerned including the petitioner, in accordance with law. The decision taken by the authority shall be communicated to the petitioner within a week thereof. It is made clear that that the Court has not gone into the merits of the case and all the issues shall remain open to be dealt with by the concerned authority. The writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Since no affidavit has been invited, allegations contained in the writ petition shall be deemed not to have been admitted. 3 Urgent certified website copy of the order, if applied for, be given to the parties on compliance of requisite formalities. (Suvra Ghosh, J.)