IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON TUESDAY, THE 21ST JUNE 2011 / 31ST JYAISHTA 1933 WP(C).No. 7664 of 2011(G) ------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ---------------------- 1. SAHIDA, W/O.SAKHEER HUSSAIN, SHANU MANZIL, THATHAMANGALAM P.O., PALAKKD - 678102. 2. SURESH S/O.VELAYUDHAN, KAVILKALAM, THATHAMANGALAM P.O., PALAKKAD - 678102. BY ADV. SRI.V.G.ARUN SRI.T.R.HARIKUMAR RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------ 1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, COLLECTORATE, PALAKKAD - 678001. 2. THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL RETAIL SALES MANAGER, INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD. COCHIN DIVISIONAL OFFICE, PANAMPILLY AVENUE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR P.O., COCHIN-682036. 3. INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD., COCHIN DIVISIONAL OFFICE, PANAMPILLY AVENUE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR P.O., COCHIN - 682036, REPRESENTED BY ITS SENIOR DIVISIONAL RETAIL SALES MANAGER. ADV. SRI.E.K.NANDAKUMAR FOR R2-R3 SRI.A.K.JAYASANKAR NAMBIAR FOR R2-R3 SRI.K.JOHN MATHAI FOR R2-R3 SRI.P.BENNY THOMAS FOR R2-R3 SRI.P.GOPINATH FOR R2-R3 GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.P.NARAYANAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 21/06/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: dmb WP(C).No.7664 of 2011 APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS:- EXT.P1:- COPY OF THE SKETCH SHOWING THE PROPOSED LAND BY THE SIDE OF THE PUDUNAGARAM-MEENAKSHIPURAM PWD ROAD EXT.P2:- COPY OF THE LETTER OF INTENT ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 28.12.2009 EXT.P3:- COPY OF THE REQUEST DATED 01.01.2010 EXT.P4:- COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 11.01.2001 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE TAHSILDAR, CHITTUR EXT.P5:- COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 20.04.2010 EXT.P6:- COPY OF THE REMINDER SUBMITTED TO SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, PALAKKAD DATED 29.4.2010 EXT.P7:- COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 16.7.2010 EXT.P8:- COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 11.10.2010 ISSUED BY THE CHIEF ENGINEER, PWD TO THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER KSTP DIVISION, KUTTIPURAM EXT.P9:- COPY OF THE LETTER ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE TAHSILDAR, CHITTUR EXT.P10:- COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 10.12.2010 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE 2ND RESPONDENT EXT.P11:- COPY OF CASH MEMO ISSUED FROM THE PETROLEUM OUTLET AT PUTHUNAGARAM EXT.P12:- COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 9.02.2011 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO THE 1ST RESPONDENT RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS:- EXT.R2(a):- COPY OF THE LETTER ISSUED BY THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PWD DATED 17.02.2010 EXT.R2(b):- COPY OF THE RELEVANT EXTRACT OF THE PETROLEUM RULES, 2002 EXT.R2(c):- COPY OF THE GUIDELINES DATED 25.02.2008 ISSUED BY THE PESO TO THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR EXT.R2(d):- COPY OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT'S REMINDER ISSUED TO THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR DATED 06.10.2010 EXT.R2(e):- COPY OF THE NORMS NO.16066/D3/09/F&CSD DATED 17.09.2009 ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT TO THE 3RD RESPONDENT //TRUE COPY// P.A TO JUDGE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, J. ---------------------------------------- W.P.(C)No. 7664 OF 2011 -------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 21st day of June, 2011 J U D G M E N T Petitioners, who are intending to start a new petroleum retail outlet in partnership stand selected in this regard, pursuant to the application made before the concerned authorities. However, in spite of satisfying all the requirements, the requisite 'No Objection Certificate' under Rule 144 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002, was not issued by the first respondent / District Collector, who on the other hand, issued Ext.P10 communication dated 10.12.2010 informing the second respondent that, no 'No Objection Certificate' can be issued and that issuance of such 'No Objection Certificate' can only be in tune with the norms presented by the State with reference to the minimum sale output of 250 Kilo Liters per month. 2. Heard the learned standing counsel appearing for respondents 2 and 3 and the learned Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent as well. 3. During the course of hearing, it is brought to the notice of this Court that the issue is squarely covered by judgment dated 23.05.2011 passed by this Court in W.P(C) W.P.(C).No.7664 OF 2011 2 No.1016 of 2010 and connected cases, whereby the challenge raised against the norms stated as fixed by the Government has been upheld. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner in the above background, is having every right to have the 'No Objection Certificate' and to start the proposed petroleum retail outlet. 4. In the above circumstances, this Court finds that Ext.P10 issued by the first respondent is not sustainable any more. The same is set aside and the first respondent is directed to issue 'No Objection Certificate' under Rule 144 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 enabling the petitioner to start the proposed petroleum retail outlet in Sy.No.566/1 in Chittur Taluk of Palakkad District forthwith, if the proceedings filed are otherwise in order. Appropriate orders shall be passed as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within 'two weeks' from the date of production of a copy of this judgment along with a copy of the writ petition before the first respondent. Writ petition is disposed of. P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON JUDGE dmb