THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.10821 of 2011 ORDER: Heard Sri Raghavan K Thalapaka, learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies for respondents 1 and 2 and Sri S.V.Ramana, learned counsel for respondents 3 to 5. With the consent of all the learned counsel, this writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. Petitioner, which is said to be a dealer of M/s.Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, has filed this writ petition challenging the proceedings of the first respondent – Commissioner of Civil Supplies, Hyderabad, in proceedings No.B2/250/2010, dated 25.02.2011, as illegal and consequently, to direct the second respondent – Joint Collector, Chittoor, Chittoor District, to renew the petitioner’s license, dated 21.01.1982, issued under the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Petroleum Products (License and Regulation of Supplies) Order, 1980. The petitioner is an authorized dealer in purchase, storage and sale of petroleum products under Andhra Pradesh Petroleum Products (License and Regulation of Supplies) Order, 1980. His license is said to have been granted in 1982, being renewed from time to time. It was valid until 17.11.2010. The petitioner filed an application seeking renewal of the same. Initially, the application was rejected by orders, dated 07.01.2011. The petitioner challenged the same by filing Writ Petition No.558 of 2011 and the said writ petition was allowed by order, dated 31.01.2011 on the short ground that the petitioner was denied the opportunity to put forward his case. The second respondent was accordingly directed to issue notice to the petitioner and other parties and pass fresh orders after hearing both sides. Accordingly, the matter was considered by the second respondent and by order in Roc.No.B2/250/2010, dated 25.02.2011, rejected the application on the ground that the license was initially issued based on the lease deed executed between M/s.Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and the tenant. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner preferred an appeal to the first respondent. Along with the said appeal, the petitioner also sought for stay of the proceedings of the second respondent. The first respondent while taking the appeal on file, declined to stay the impugned order therein. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner has filed this writ petition for the aforesaid relief. Indisputably, the license obtained by the petitioner under the Andhra Pradesh Petroleum Products (License and Regulation of Supplies) Order, 1980 expired on 17.11.2010. Ever since then, he has not been dealing with the commodities. Unless the license is renewed and the same is in force, the petitioner is not entitled to conduct business. By means of order, dated 25.02.2011, passed by the second respondent, renewal sought for by him was rejected. Hence, unless he succeeds in the appeal before the first respondent, he cannot be permitted to conduct business. Mere granting stay of the order of the second respondent dated 25.02.2011 without there being any positive direction to renew the license will not serve the purpose of the petitioner. In the circumstances, the impugned order of the first respondent rejecting stay cannot be faulted. Having regard to this situation, learned counsel for the petitioner fairly submits that as the business of the petitioner is crippled, the first respondent be directed to dispose of the appeal itself within a time frame. In the circumstances, having regard to the limited submission made and as conceded by the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for respondents 1 and 2 and the learned counsel for respondents 3 to 5, this writ petition is disposed of directing the first respondent to dispose of the appeal filed by the petitioner which has been taken on file in CCS proceedings No.E2/269/2011, dated 07.04.2011, after issuing notice to the petitioner and respondents 3 to 5, as early as possible, preferably, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. No order as to costs. _________________ NOUSHAD ALI, J 20th APRIL, 2011. kvni