THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.408 of 2009 March 31, 2010 Between: M/s.Ramprasad Satyanarayana, represented by its Proprietor Ramnarayana, S/o.Ramprasad … Petitioner And The Joint Collector-II, Rangareddy District And another ... Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.408 of 2009 ORDER: The petitioner is proprietary concern and is a licensed food grains merchant regulated by Andhra Pradesh Schedule Commodities (Licensing, Storage and Regulation) Order 2008. On 05.1.2009, second respondent inspected the petitioner premises and seized 269.50 quintals of rice. A case under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (the Act) was booked. Even while the proceedings are pending, the Joint Collector issued orders on 16.1.2009 under Section 6-A(2) of the Act directing the second respondent to dispose of the stocks conducting open auction. Against the said orders, present writ petition is filed. This Court while admitting the writ petition passed interim orders of stay of sale of seized goods. There is no dispute that the proceedings before the first respondent are pending. Further as held by a Division Bench of this Court in A.Siva Reddy v District Collector, Kurnool[1], even when the Joint Collector orders interim sale under Section 6-A (2) of the Act prior notice to the dealer has to be issued informing about such interim sale. In this case, as seen from the impugned order, no notice was issued. Therefore, the same cannot be sustained. The impugned order is therefore set aside and the matter is remitted to first respondent with a direction to issue notice to petitioner and pass interim orders. The Joint Collector is also directed to dispose of impugned proceedings within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No costs. ______________ (V.V.S. RAO, J) March 31, 2010 YS [1] 2008(6) ALD 1 (DB)