2026:HHC:4647 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA. CWP No. 2143 of 2026 Date of decision: 26.02.2026 Ajay Pal Singh …Petitioner Versus State of H. P. & Ors. …Respondents Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice G. S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice. The Hon’ble Mr. Bipin C. Negi, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? For the Petitioner: Mr. Janesh Mahajan, Advocate. For the Respondents: Mr. Rakesh Dhaulta, Additional Advocate General, for the respondents. G. S. Sandhawalia , Chief Justice (Oral) Challenge in the present writ petition is qua restricting the clause whereby the contract has been awarded for a period of one year i.e. 01.02.2025 to 31.03.2026 for the supply of Cooked Diet to Civil Hospital, Dalhousie, which was in favour of the petitioner as per the work order dated 30.01.2025 (Annexure P-2). 2. It is the case of the petitioner that the e- tender form on the basis of which he has applied provide the Scope of Work for two financial years, which will be ending on 31st March of the second financial year. 3. It is submitted that a representation (Annexure P-3) has also been filed with respondent No. 3 to this extent that there was a delay as such in finanlising the earlier tender process which was done in December, 2024 and objections have been raised that contract was only valid for 14 months instead of 24 months. 2 2026:HHC:4647 4. Counsel for the petitioner has submitted that in spite of representation being filed, fresh Notice Inviting Tender has now been issued on 07.02.2026 and the tender is to be opened on 02.03.2026, which is also the last date as such. 5. Keeping in view the fact that the decision making process as such is still yet to be completed upon the representation (Annexure P-3), we are of the considered opinion that before the respondents finalise the fresh tender process (Annexure P-4), it would be incumbent upon them to decide the representation (Annexure P-3) as to whether on the ground of legitimate expectation, the petitioner was entitled to continue for a period of two years. 6. Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of directing the respondents to decide the representation (Annexure P- 3) within two weeks from today to be decided by the competent authority. Needless to say that the fresh tender process shall not be finalised till the decision as such is made by the respondents-State. 7. The Writ petition stands disposed of in the aforesaid terms, so also pending applications, if any. (G. S. Sandhawalia) Chief Justice (Bipin C. Negi) 26th February, 2026 Judge (sanjeev)