THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.27582 of 2011 Date: 30.09.2011 Between: M/s. Jayalakshmi Enterprises … Petitioner and The Joint Collector, Anantapur, Anantapur District. … Respondent THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.27582 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Sri A.K. Narasimha Rao, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, as well as the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondent. Having regard to the short relief sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner at the hearing to direct the respondent to conclude the enquiry within a time frame, with the consent of both the counsel, the writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. 2. The petitioner is a dealer in L.P.G. cylinders in the name and style of M/s. Jayalakshmi Enterprises, situated at Kadiri, Anantapur District. On 2.6.2010, the Enforcement team inspected the business premises of the petitioner and submitted a report dated 16.6.2010 to the Joint Collector, Anantapur, the respondent herein, alleging that the petitioner had committed certain irregularities in distribution of cylinders. Basing on the said report, the respondent issued a show cause notice in proceedings Rc.No.K-10/506/2010, dated 26.6.2010 and simultaneously suspended the licence of the petitioner, pending enquiry. The petitioner states that he has submitted his explanation to the said show cause notice. The grievance of the petitioner is that even though more than one year has elapsed eversince his licence has been suspended and initiation of the action, the respondent has not taken any further steps to conclude the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for brevity “the Act”). 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner has not committed any irregularity and the respondent is not justified in preventing the petitioner from conducting the business. The learned counsel, therefore, submits that the respondent be directed to complete the enquiry within a time frame in order to avoid hardship to the petitioner. 4. Indisputably, proceedings have been initiated against the petitioner by issuing a show-cause notice dated 26.6.2010 and eversince then the licence of the petitioner has been kept in abeyance preventing him from conducting the business. There does not appear to be any valid reason for keeping the enquiry pending for such a long time. In matters of this nature, the Statutory authorities are expected to conduct the enquiry and pass appropriate orders expeditiously within a time frame. 5. In the circumstances, the writ petition is disposed of directing the respondent to complete the enquiry initiated against the petitioner under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in pursuance of the show cause notice dated 26.6.2010 and pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No order as to costs. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 30.09.2011. Msr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.27582 of 2011 30.09.2011 (Msr)