IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND NINE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO : 27362 of 2009 Between: M/s. Sri Shirdi Sai Rice and General Stores, Deverapally Village and Mandal, W.G.Distrcit. ..... PETITIONER AND The Joint Collector, Eluru, and another. .....RESPONDENT(S) HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA W.P.No.27362 of 2009 ORDER: The petitioner-M/s. Sri Shirdi Sai Rice and General Stores, Deverapally Village and Mandal, West Godavari District, is carrying on wholesale and retail business in food grains. According to the petitioner, it has all licences as required under the provisions of the A.P. State Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2008, for the purpose of carrying business. However, the 2nd respondent-District Supply Officer, Eluru, West Godavari District, inspected the business premises on 01-12-2009 and in the presence of mediators, seized 367.75 quintals of rice on the ground that there are certain variations in the stock position. The matter was reported to the 1st respondent-Joint Collector, West Godavari Ditrict, Eluru, who in-turn initiated the proceedings under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act. The petitioner immediately approached the 1st respondent and filed an application on 04-12-2009 requesting him to release the said stocks, but however, as no orders have been passed, it approached this Court and filed the present writ petition. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. 3. When an application seeking release of the stock is filed, the 1st respondent should have passed an order either way, but instead of passing any order, he kept the matter pending, which is not a justifiable action. 4. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of at the stage of admission, directing the 1st respondent-Joint Collector, Eluru, West Godavari District, to hear the petitioner, consider its representation dated 04-12-2009 and pass necessary orders thereon, at the earliest, preferably, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. ______________________ 16th December 2009 KVR