IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.14046 of 2008 Ramjanam Singh, son of Late Siyasaran Singh at Arwal More Jehanabad, P.S.- Jehanabad, District- Jehanabad. ………… Petitioner. VERSUS 1. The State of Bihar. 2. The Chief Election Commissioner, Old Secretariat, Patna. 3. The District Magistrate-cum-Election Officer, Jehanabad. ………… Respondents. ----------- 03 01.12.2008 The petitioner has a Petrol Pump. As is usual for election and otherwise the State Government purchases petroleum products from the petroleum dealers on credit. But, when it comes to making payments, the retailers, who have purchased the petroleum products from the Oil Company on case payments are made to run from pillar to post for several months if not years payments are not made. State having statutory power under various licensing provisions always holds out threat that if sales on credit are not given to the State then the retailers would face consequences. I do not wish to dwell upon this matter any longer, inasmuch as this writ petition having being filed the petitioner has been given his due payment on 24.10.2008 and no balance remains. Let it be noted that no petroleum dealer is under any obligation to supply any amount of petroleum products to the State Government or its instrumentality on credit. State Government and its instrumentality will be obliged to purchase the same on payment of cash, inasmuch as the retail dealers themselves get the supplies without any credit, on cash payment. In case, for certain exigencies State has to 2 take petroleum products on credit. It would be duty of the concerned Office to ensure that the payments are settled within a period of one month and no further. This, this Court is ordering so because if a dealer is asked to suffer the credit given to the State Government for long periods, then effectively for the sales made to the State Government petitioner would be at a loss. Dealers being commercial persons would then evolve unethical means to recover the loss, which is impermissible in a democratic country and a civilized society. The occasion to let the dealer adopt unethical practices could not arise if the State Government makes prompt payments. Let a copy of this order be sent to the Transport Commissioner, who would circulate the same to various District Authorities. The writ petition stands disposed of. Trivedi/ ( Navaniti Prasad Singh, J.)