The petitioners are owners of printing units falling under the category of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. For the past many years, the third respondent/KELTRON is the State Level Agency(SLA) to the Election(General) Department for all election related activities. The third respondent is therefore entrusted with the printing of electoral rolls, forms, slips etc., in connection with the elections to the Legislative Assembly Constituencies in the State, by the first respondent. The third respondent executes the works entrusted to it through the petitioners. For the works in connection with the assembly elections conducted in April, 2021 also, the contract for printing, sorting, stapling and supply of electoral rolls, forms, slips etc. was awarded to the third respondent. Thereupon, the third respondent distributed the work among the petitioners and other printers under Ext.P1 and similar work orders. The petitioners completed the works to the satisfaction of all concerned and raised their bills. The Government, as per Exhibit P2, P3 and P4 orders, accorded sanction for payment of the cost incurred in connection with the
