THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION Nos.8019, 8048, 8059 and 8071 of 2011 Dated 28th March, 2011 Between: Smt.Shobha Sharma …Petitioner (W.P.No.8019 of 2011) And The Government of A.P., rep.by its Ex-officio Secretary-cum- Commissioner of Civil Supplies, Somajigud, Hyderabad and others …Respondents (W.P.No.8019 of 2011) Counsel for the petitioner: Sri W.B.Srinivas Counsel for respondents: AGP for Civil Supplies The Court made the following: COMMON ORDER: These four writ petitions have been filed by nominated retail kerosene dealers with the grievance that despite existence of several vacancies, numbering about 129, in circle Nos.I to IX in the twin cities, respondent Nos.2 and 3 have not been taking steps to fill up those vacancies on permanent basis. It is the pleaded case of the petitioners that under the extant instructions issued by respondent Nos.1 and 2 from time to time, the nominated retail kerosene dealers are entitled to preference while filling up the fair price shop vacancies on permanent basis and that on account of non-filling up of these vacancies, the petitioners’ chances of being appointed as fair price shop dealers are getting affected. In support of the plea of the petitioners that there are several vacancies in existence, they relied upon letters, dated 24.09.2009 and 19.03.2010, addressed by the Assistant Supply Officers, Circle Nos.III and V, to respondent No.2, wherein they have pointed out existence of atleast 22 vacancies, which are remaining unfilled for the periods ranging between one year and three years. After hearing Sri W.B.Srinivas, learned counsel for the petitioners, and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies, I am of the opinion that there is no justification for not filling up the vacancies on permanent basis. Under clause-1 of G.O.Ms.No.52, dated 18.12.2008, all vacancies of fair price shops shall be notified on first of every month by the Appointing Authority and invite the applicants for walk-in-interviews. If the information furnished by the Assistant Supply Officers of Circle Nos.III and V and the pleadings raised by the petitioners have any basis, non-filling up of these vacancies for a substantially long period is in violation of the specific instructions contained in G.O.Ms.No.52. In the above circumstances, the writ petitions are disposed of with the direction to respondent Nos.2 and 3 to take immediate steps for filling up the vacancies on permanent basis in all the circles under their jurisdiction, as expeditiously as possible, and at any rate not later than three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Needless to observe that while filling up the vacancies, the claims of the petitioners, who are working as nominated retail kerosene dealers, shall be considered in terms of clause-9 of G.O.Ms.No.52, dated 18.12.2008. As a sequel to disposal of the writ petitions, W.P.M.P.Nos.9968, 9999, 10011 & 10023 of 2011 filed by the petitioners for interim relief are disposed of as infructuous. C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY, J 28th March, 2011 VGB