IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No.18195 of 2009 Date of decision: 30th November, 2009 Chet Ram … Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and another … Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA Present: Mr. Raj Kaushik, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Anil Kumar Sharma, Additional Advocate General, Punjab for the State. KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA, J. (ORAL) Present writ petition has been filed by a depot holder of public distribution system. He seeks quashing of the order dated 3rd October, 2008 (Annexure P-3) and show cause notice issued to him on 7th January, 2009. It was stated in order (Annexure P-3) dated 3rd October, 2008 that Inspector, Food and Supplies Deptt. has reported that police case has been registered against the depot holder, therefore, supply of essential commodities for sale through public distribution system be suspended and show cause notice be issued. In consonance with the order (Annexure P-3) passed on 3rd October, 2008, show cause notice was issued after two months on 7th January, 2009. Petitioner replied to the show cause notice within two days, i.e. on 9th January, 2009. 11 months are going to elapse, but no decision has been taken by the District Controller, Food & Supplies and Consumer Affairs on the reply filed to the show cause notice. A short notice was issued to the State of Punjab so that it is intimated to the Court as to within how much time the final decision can be taken on the reply filed Civil Writ Petition No. 18195 of 2009 by the petitioner to the show cause notice. It has been submitted that for 11 months, the proceedings could not culminate, as the State of Punjab without any policy/rules/provisions, in their own wisdom, had adopted the policy that till the criminal case is concluded, no decision shall be taken on the show cause notice and the reply filed thereto. Grievance of the petitioner is that he had replied to the show cause notice (Annexure P-4) and no decision has been taken thereupon. Counsel for the petitioner submits that show cause noticed was issued on 7th January, 2009 and the reply was filed on 9th January, 2009. Counsel for the State submits that the final decision upon the show cause notice and the reply filed by the petitioner shall be taken within one month from today. Counsel for the petitioner submits that in view of the submission made by counsel for the State, he may be allowed to withdraw the present petition. Ordered accordingly. [KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA] JUDGE November 30, 2009 rps 2