W.P. No. 572 of 2001 (MS) Hon. P.C. Verma, J. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel. The grievance of the petitioner is that he applied for grant of Arm licence before the respondents and his application dated 24/9/1999. (Annexure no.1) has not yet been decided. The licensing authority is required to pass appropriate orders on the application for grant of licence in view of the provisions of the Arms Act, within a reasonable distance of time. The writ petition is finally disposed of with a direction that the licensing authority (District Magistrate, Udham Singh Nagar) shall pass appropriate orders according to law on the application of the petitioner within a period of three months from the date of certified copy of this order is produced before him. P.C. Verma, J. R.R. 17/5/2001