JUDGMENT Jyotsna Rewal Dua, J. - Respondent-Himuda has debarred the petitioner for six months from participating in any tendering process, vide communication dated 19.7.2019 (Annexure P-3), which is impugned in this writ petition. 2. The only reason given for debarring the petitioner for six months from participating in any tendering process in HIMUDA, as spelt out in communication dated 19.7.2019 (Annexure A-3), is that:- "during the course of negotiation held in the office chamber of CEO-cum-Secretary HIMUDA on 25.06.2019 you have refused to reduce your quoted rates for the items''. 3. Debarring the petitioner from participating in the tendering process in HIMUDA on account of his refusal to reduce the quoted rates during negotiation, is highly illegal, arbitrary and capricious act of the respondents. This decision cannot withstand the judicial scrutiny. It is not open for the respondent-HIMUDA to compel a person to reduce his quoted rate and on his such refusal to debar him from participating in the tendering process. A tenderer cannot be forced to reduce the rates against his wishes. Significantly, it has not been disputed by the learned counsel for respondent-HIMUDA that the rates quoted by the petitioner in the tender were less than the estimated cost of tender published by the respondents in the Notice Inviting Tender. 4. Therefore, for the aforesaid reasons the impugned communication dated 19.7.2019 (Annexure P-3) debarring the petitioner from participating in any tendering process with HIMUDA is quashed and set aside. The writ petition is accordingly allowed alongwith pending miscellaneous application(s), if any,