THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY Writ Petition No.27073 of 2008 ORDER: 1 This Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction by way of writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not considering the representations of the petitioners dated 03.10.2008 and 31.10.2008 as illegal and arbitrary. 2 The petitioners are residents of Payakapuram village, Penamaluru Mandal of Krishna District. Petitioners 1 to 3 are widows, fourth petitioner is the son of the respective licensees who were granted hawkers licenses for distribution of kerosene. It is stated that after the death of the original licensees, the petitioners have filed representations to the respondent authorities to consider their claims for grant of licences or permit them to continue their business by granting necessary licenses on them. It is their grievance that inspite of their representations, no steps have been taken by the respondents. 3 The learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on the other hand, submitted that as per the policy in vogue as of now, no fresh licenses are being issued for hawkers and that distribution of kerosene is being attached to the existing fair price shop dealers to enable the consumers to have all the essential commodities under one roof. 4 It is true that the petitioners are the legal heirs of the original licensees. But as per the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2008, which governs the licensing system for hawkers, there is no automatic grant of licence by way of succession after the expiry of the original licensee. In that view of the matter, in the absence of any provision in the aforesaid Control Order, the petitioners, as a matter of right, cannot seek to continue the supply of kerosene. As much as it is submitted by the learned Government Pleader that at present, they are not taking any steps for filling up of the vacancies, no direction can be granted for grant of licence to the petitioners. 5 In the above circumstances, inasmuch as no counter affidavit has been filed by the respondents and in view of the submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties, this Writ Petition is disposed of, holding that in case the vacancies held by the deceased original licensees are notified, it is open for the petitioners to make a representation for grant of licence, in which event, the respondents shall consider the same keeping in mind the fact that the petitioners herein are the legal heirs of the original licencees. 6 Subject to the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. ------------------------ R.Subhash Reddy, J. 21.09.2011 Kvsn