Chippada Appa Rao, v. The State of Andhra Pradesh
Case brief
What is this about?
fair price shop bifurcation; ration shop dealer; G.O.Ms.No.10 dated 03.09.2024 Consumer Affairs Food & Civil Supplies (CS-I); G.O.Ms.No.35 dated 17.09.2017; 800 cards threshold; deceased cardholders' cards; migrated cardholders; economic viability; APL/BPL cards; minimum cards 450 rural 550 urban 650 corporation; DSO 12-month average September 2023-August 2024; principles of natural justice; Article 226; Articles 14, 19, 21; Article 19(1)(g); writ of mandamus; Section 151 CPC interim applications; circular CCS Ref. No. 21/1/2024 dated 19-10-2024; W.P.No.22027/2024 seven days; objections not answered; Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies; W.P.Nos.27510 & batch; Justice B S Bhanumathi; 06.01.2025; no costs.
What did the court decide?
Writ petitions disposed of by setting aside the impugned bifurcation proceedings insofar as the petitioners' shop(s), with directions: (a) deletion of cards where the sole cardholder died (on the dealer's explanation) and retention where family members draw commodities; (b) computation of the 800-card threshold on the average number of cards availed from September 2023 to August 2024 (migration); (c) minimum figure of 450 (rural), 550 (urban) and 650 (corporation area) to be allotted to the existing shop on bifurcation for economic viability; (d) dealers' representations within one month, with each objection to be answered and appropriate orders passed within two weeks thereafter. No order as to costs; pending miscellaneous applications closed.