B. Pampapathi v. the State of Andhra Pradesh
Case brief
What is this about?
Fair price shop bifurcation; Andhra Pradesh; G.O.Ms.No.10 dated 03.09.2024; G.O.Ms.No.35 dated 17.09.2017; 800-card threshold; dead cardholders; migrated ration cards; economic viability; APL/BPL cards; minimum 450/550/650 cards rural/urban/corporation; DSO average September 2023-August 2024; principles of natural justice; Articles 226, 14, 19, 21; writ of mandamus; set aside with directions; fresh consideration of objections; W.P.No.27510 of 2024 and batch; B.S. Bhanumathi, J; 06.01.2025; no costs.
What did the court decide?
All the writ petitions disposed of by setting aside the proceedings impugned therein insofar as the shop(s) of the petitioner(s), with directions: (a) deletion of cards of deceased sole cardholders after verification (retained where family members draw commodities); (b) DSO to apply the average of cards availed during September 2023 - August 2024 for the 800-card bifurcation test, and 450/550/650 (rural/urban/corporation) to be treated as the minimum cards for the existing shop on bifurcation; (c) dealers to submit representations within one month and authorities to answer each objection and pass appropriate orders within two weeks thereafter. No order as to costs; pending miscellaneous applications stand closed.