IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN FRIDAY, THE 19TH SEPTEMBER 2008 / 28TH BHADRA 1930 WP(C).No. 27931 of 2008(A) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ---------------- N.M.KARTHIKEYAN, NELLIPARAMPATHU HOUSE, METHALA VILLAGE, KODUNGALLOOR, THRISSUR DIST. BY ADV. SRI.T.A.SHAJI RESPONDENTS: ------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, TAXES DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF EXCISE, KODUNGALLUR. 3. THE ASSISTANT EXCISE COMMISSIONER, THRISSUR. 4. THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONERATE OF EXCISE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT. DEEPA. K.R. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 19/09/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. SIRI JAGAN, J. ------------------------------------ W.P.(C)No.27931 OF 2008 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 19th day of September, 2008 JUDGMENT The petitioner is a proprietor of a hotel who has obtained an FL-3 licence to conduct a bar in the hotel. The petitioner wishes to convert the proprietorship into a partnership bringing in additional partners. For conversion of the business into a partnership so as to enable continuation of the licence in the name of the partnership, the petitioner is bound to obtain permission from the Commissioner of Excise for such conversion. In the above circumstances, the petitioner has filed Ext.P1 application for permission for such conversion. The petitioner's grievance in this writ petition is that Ext.P1 is not being considered by the 4th respondent. 2. I have heard the learned Government Pleader also. 3. In the facts and circumstances of the case, I feel that the 4th respondent can be directed to consider and pass orders on Ext.P1 in accordance with law expeditiously. W.P.(c)No.27931/08 2 Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the 4th respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on Ext.P1 in accordance with the Abkari Act and Rules, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner. S. SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE Acd W.P.(c)No.27931/08 3