IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.5702 of 2011 VIJAY BAHADUR SINGH Son of Sri Ram Awtar Singh, R/O Village Adarsh Nuou, PS Durgawati, District Kaimur at Bhabhua ..... Petitioner Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR through Principal Secretary, Department of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Bihar, Patna 2. The Principal Secretary, Department of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Bihar, Patna 3. The District Magistrate, Kaimur (Bhabhua), Bihar 4. Zila Parishad Kaimur (Bhabhua) through Chief Executive Officer, Kaimur, Bhabhua, Bihar 5. The Chief Executive Officer cum Deputy Development Commissioner, Zila Parishad, Kaimur (Bhabhua), Bihar 6. The Circle Officer, Durgawati, District Kaumur (Bhabhua) Bihar ......Respondents ----------- 03- 27.4.2011 Heard Mr. Ranjit Kumar Pandey for the petitioner, Mr. Rai Shivaji Nath, learned AAG III for respondent nos. 1 to 3, and Mr. Mithilesh Kumar Singh for respondent nos. 4 and 5. In the instant writ petition which has been filed in the nature of a public interest litigation, the petitioner seeks direction to the respondents not to close the ferry services on Kakrait ghat on Karmnasha river till completion of Kakrait ghat bridge, which is under construction. The petitioner submits that on account of closure of ferry services, the people at large are faced with inconvenience in crossing the river. 2. Mr. Rai Shivaji Nath, learned AAG III, appearing for the respondent State, submits that the State Government has taken a policy decision by letter no.4735, dated 1.7.2010, to release all the ghats from settlement, erstwhile being made by the concerned Zila Parishads. He submits that the now no licence would be granted to a contractor for plying boat. Hence onwards anyone would be free to ply his boat. He submits that the aforesaid policy decision has been taken in public interest. Mr. Mithilesh Kumar Singh, learned counsel 2 for respondent nos. 4 and 5 supports the contentions made by the learned Government counsel. 3. As the Government has done away with the system of grant of licence for plying boats carrying passengers thus enabling anyone to ply his boat and carry passengers, we do not propose to pass any positive order in the matter. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. ( S K Katriar ) ( S P Singh ) mrl