THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No.26589 of 2010 ORDER: In this writ petition, petitioner questioned order, dated 04.10.2010, passed in proceedings No.C/40/2010/Mandal, Penchikaladinne, by the third respondent – Mandal Educational Officer, Nereducherla Mandal, Nalgonda. The Government is implementing Midday Meal Programme by giving food to the students of its schools including local bodies, aided and Upper Primary Schools in the State. As per the Government Orders, Dwakra Groups/Self-help Groups are identified to entrust the work for cooking food and serving to the school-going children. The petitioner group was selected as an agent for cooking food and serving the same to the students studying in Primary School of Penchikaladinne Village, Nereducherla Mandal, Nalgonda District. By order, dated 04.10.2010, the petitioner group was replaced by the sixth respondent herein. The said order was passed by the third respondent – Mandal Educational Officer, Nereducherla, Nalgonda District, referring to the minutes of the meeting preceded by the Mandal Revenue Officer. A perusal of the said order does not indicate the reason why the petitioner group was displaced. The grievance of the petitioner group is that there is no valid reason for terminating it and to appoint the sixth respondent. It is the allegation of the petitioner that only on political considerations, it was discontinued and replaced the sixth respondent. It is also the allegation of the petitioner that it was not put on notice before passing the impugned order. Counter-affidavits are filed by the second respondent on behalf of the Government authorities, and also by the sixth respondent. From the counter-affidavits, it is precisely the case of the respondents that the petitioner is not supplying the quality and hygienic food to the students and that the third respondent has conducted a meeting with the parents of the students and as majority of them expressed their opinion to change the cooking agency, the impugned order was passed by replacing the petitioner group with the sixth respondent but there is no denial of the fact that the petitioner group was not put on notice. When the petitioner group was selected as an agency for cooking and serving the midday meal, the respondents may terminate it without any allegation, if such termination is termination simplicitor. But, when the allegation is made that the petitioner group is not serving quality and hygienic food to the students, to meet the principles of natural justice, the respondents ought to have put on notice to the petitioner group before passing the impugned order. As there is no indication of giving any prior notice and opportunity to the petitioner, in the impugned order, which is also not disputed in the counter-affidavits filed by the respondents, I deem it appropriate to set aside proceedings No.C/40/2010/Mandal, Penchikaladinne, dated 04.10.2010, with a direction to the third respondent to consider the matter afresh by issuing notice and opportunity to the petitioner group. If there is any allegation against the petitioner group that it is not supplying the quality and hygienic food, the respondents to give notice to the petitioner group and consider the explanation to be offered by it before passing appropriate orders. Such exercise shall be completed within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Accordingly, the impugned proceedings are set aside and the writ petition is allowed with the directions referred to above. No order as to costs. _______________________ R.SUBHASH REDDY, J 8th FEBRUARY, 2011. kvni