It is stated that as per the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Commodities (Regulation of Distribution by Card System) Order, 1973, the kerosene was not included in the list of commodities specified under the Schedule and therefore, the kerosene was used to be distributed through the retail dealers, who were holding licences under the Andhra Pradesh Petroleum Products (Licencing and Regulation of Supplies) Order, 1980. Thus kerosene was excluded for distribution through fair price shops. Subsequently, G.O.Ms.No.1350 dated 24-07-1987 was issued under which kerosene was also added to the Schedule under the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Commodities (Regulation of Distribution by Card System) Order, 1973. However, the existing licences granted under the Andhra Pradesh Petroleum Products (Licencing and Regulation of Supplies) Order, 1980 have been continued and the licences in favour of the members of the petitioner-association are being renewed from time to time. While so, the respondents started issuing new ration cards so as to eliminate the bogus cards in circulation. So far as the supply of kerosene is concerned, the respondents have been issuing kerosene coupons to the cardholders. It is pleaded that in the new cards being issued as well as in the kerosene coupons, the respondents have not mentioned the number of the Notified Retail Shops for distribution of kerosene. Hence, the petitioner apprehends that the respondent authorities are going to discontinue the Notified Retail Shop System. Hence, this writ petition contending inter alia that the action of the respondents in abolishing the system of Notified Retail Shop System without framing any policy with regard to the distribution of kerosene to the cardholders is arbitrary and illegal. The petitioner in support of his contentions placed reliance upon a decision of a Division Bench of this Court in Manda Visweswara Rao vs. D. Venkateswara Rao, in which it was observed that there was no statutory bar for the Government authorities to grant licences to the kerosene hawkers to distribute kerosene to the consumers.
