THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.27089 of 2011 Date: 28.09.2011 Between: Mirayala Narasimha Rao … Petitioner and The Special Deputy Tahsildar (PDS), Jaggaiahpet, Krishna District and another. … Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.27089 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Sri V.H.V.R.R. Swamy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, as well as the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. Having regard to the short relief sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner at the hearing to direct the 2nd respondent to initiate enquiry under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for brevity “the Act”) and conclude the same 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 claims to be the proprietor of Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Modern Rice Mill, Kuchipudi Village, Kodada Mandal, Nalgonda District. On 20.6.2010, while the petitioner was transporting the rice in a Lorry bearing No.AP 27V 1455, the 1st respondent-Special Deputy Tahsildar (PDS), Jaggaiahpet, Krishna District intercepted and seized the said lorry along with the stock at Khammam R.T.A. Check Post alleging that the rice meant for public distribution system was being transported without proper documents. The grievance of the petitioner is that even though a report to that effect was submitted before the 2nd respondent-Joint Collector, Krishna District, besides registering a case in Crime No.122 of 2010 for the offence punishable under Section 420 I.P.C. and Section 7 of the Act, the 2nd respondent has not taken any steps for conducting the enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act. Therefore, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that even though the seizure was effected on 20.6.2011 and a report to that effect was also submitted, the 2nd respondent is not taking any steps to initiate enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act and, in the meantime, if the seized stock is sold, the petitioner would suffer grave and irreparable loss. The learned counsel, therefore, submits that the 2nd respondent be directed to initiate enquiry and conclude the same within a time frame. 4. Indisputably, a report for initiation of an enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act has been submitted before the 2nd respondent as long back as on 20.6.2010 and considerable time has elapsed eversince then. There does not appear to be any valid reason for keeping the matter pending for such a long time without initiating any enquiry. 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 2nd respondent to initiate an enquiry against the petitioner under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in pursuance of the report dated 21.6.2010 of the 1st respondent and conclude the same by passing appropriate orders in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till finalisation of the said enquiry proceedings, the seized stock of the petitioner shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of, if not already sold or disposed of. No order as to costs. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 28.09.2011. NOTE: Issue C.C. in one week. (B/O) Msr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.27089 of 2011 28.09.2011 (Msr)