THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.15135 of 2011 Date: 08.06.2011 Between: Sri Manda Nagi Reddy … Petitioner and The Government of A.P., rep.by its Principal Secretary, Ministry of Civil Supplies, Secretariat, Hyderabad and others. … Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.15135 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Sri R.Narasimha Reddy, counsel representing Sri K. Gani Reddy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, as well as the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents, and with their consent the writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. 2. The petitioner, a Fair Price Shop dealer, has filed this writ petition challenging the order passed by the 3rd respondent- Revenue Divisional Officer (FAC), Rajahmundry, East Godavari District, in proceedings Ref.E/2305/2011, dated 13.4.2011, suspending the authorization of the petitioner to run the Fair Price Shop, as arbitrary and illegal. 3. The petitioner is a Fair Price Shop dealer in respect of Shop No.22 of Arthamur Village, Mandapeta Mandal, East Godavari District. On 11.4.2011, the Assistant Grain Purchasing Officer, Rajahmundry and the Civil Supplies Deputy Tahsildar, Rajahmundry (Urban), who are respondent Nos.4 and 5, respectively, have inspected the petitioner’s shop and found that there is a variation in the stock of P.D.S. rice. Thereupon a report was submitted to the 3rd respondent alleging that the petitioner failed to update the stock board and other registers resulting in variation in the stock. Based on the said report, the 3rd respondent served a show cause notice dated 12.4.2011 on the petitioner calling upon his explanation. It is stated that the petitioner has responded to the said show cause notice and submitted his explanation on 25.4.2011. In the meanwhile, the 3rd respondent has passed the impugned order dated 13.4.2011 suspending the authorization of the petitioner until further orders. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the allegations in the show cause notice are incorrect and even if the allegations are taken on face value, the variation in the stock is very trivial in nature and hence the same does not warrant suspension of the authorization. The learned counsel also contends that though the petitioner is ready to cooperate with the enquiry, the matter has been kept pending even after submission of explanation by the petitioner on 25.4.2011. The learned counsel, therefore, submits that the 3rd respondent be directed to complete the enquiry itself within a time frame in order to avoid further prejudice to the petitioner. 5. I am not inclined to express any opinion on the merits of the case. It is true that the 3rd respondent has issued a show cause notice dated 12.4.2011 to which the petitioner submitted his detailed explanation on 25.4.2011 denying the allegations. 6. It is not in dispute that the 3rd respondent is competent to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the petitioner’s authorization under the provisions of the A.P. Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2008. His power to suspend the authorization pending enquiry is also not in dispute. In matters of this nature, the Statutory authorities are expected to dispose of the matters expeditiously. It is seen that considerable time has elapsed eversince the petitioner has submitted his explanation to the show cause notice. Therefore, there is no justification for the 3rd respondent to keep the enquiry pending. 7. In view of the limited grievance as presented by the petitioner in this writ petition, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition directing the 3rd respondent to complete the enquiry and pass final orders in accordance with law as early as possible, preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 8. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 08.06.2011. Msr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.15135 of 2011 08.06.2011 (Msr)