THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.5990 of 2011 ORDER : The petitioner, a fair price shop dealer, has filed this writ petition challenging the proceedings bearing R.C.No.8514/99, dated 23-12-1999 of the 2nd Respondent herein suspending the authorization of fair price shop No.507/A, situated in Vijayanagar Colony, Hyderabad city, as illegal. The petitioner was granted authorization to run a fair price shop No.507/A situated in Vijayanagar Colony, Hyderabad city. A report was submitted by the Assistant Supply Officer, Circle-1, Hyderabad alleging that the petitioner failed to keep sufficient stocks and caused inconvenience to the cardholders thereby violating clause 16 (1) of the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Commodities (Regulation of Distribution by Card System) Order, 1973. Based on the said report, the District Supply Officer, Hyderabad, second respondent herein, suspended the authorization pending enquiry. The petitioner states that a show cause notice dated 23-12-1999 was given to him for holding an enquiry and the petitioner submitted a detailed reply to the said show cause notice. Thereafter, the matter was scheduled for hearing on 16-02-2000. The petitioner appeared and submitted written explanation in addition to the explanation already submitted. The hearing was adjourned on that day. Although the matter was listed on subsequent dates, the enquiry was not completed and final orders have not been passed so far. Therefore, aggrieved by the said action of not finalizing the enquiry, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition for the aforesaid relief. Heard Sri Rama Rao Immaneni, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. Learned Government Pleader, on instructions, submits that even though proceedings were initiated by a show cause notice, dated 23-12- 1999 and hearing was scheduled on different occasions, for some reason or the other the matter could not be finalized. The learned Government Pleader submits that the proceedings are still pending. As noticed above, the impugned order was passed on 23-12- 1999; almost 11 years have elapsed since then. The 2nd Respondent, having initiated proceedings, is under obligation to finalize the enquiry, if not immediately at least within a reasonable time. Therefore, the action of the 2nd Respondent in not finalizing the enquiry so far for a period of 11 years by no stretch of imagination could be said to be reasonable. In the circumstances, this Writ Petition is disposed of directing the 2nd Respondent herein to pass final orders on the enquiry initiated in pursuance of the proceedings bearing R.C.No.8514/99, dated 23-12-1999 by taking into consideration the explanations offered by the petitioner as early as possible preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. If no such orders are passed within the stipulated time, the petitioner shall be permitted to run the shop until final orders as directed above are passed. No order as to costs. ________________ NOUSHAD ALI, J. 18th April, 2011. skmr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.5990 of 2011 Date : 18-04-2011 Between : Smt.Sajida Begum .. Petitioner and The Chief Rationing Officer, Office opposite to Anand Theater, S.D.Road, Secunderabad and 2 Others. .. Respondents