THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION Nos.22601, 22607, 22608, 22609 and 22610 of 2009 COMMON ORDER: The petitioners claim to be growers of tobacco on their lands in Khammam District. They submitted applications to the respondents on 29.09.2009 for renewal of their licenses to grow tobacco for the crop season 2009-2010. Their grievance is that no action has been taken by the respondents, though the crop season has commenced. Sri Mummaneni Srinivasa Rao, learned counsel for the petitioners, submits that the respondents granted licenses to the petitioners for the past several years and the applications for renewal of their licenses for the previous year were rejected after expiry of the crop year. He submits that the petitioners are eligible for renewal of their licenses and that they hold barns for processing the grown tobacco. Sri S. Srinivasa Reddy, learned counsel for the respondents, who took notice at the stage of admission, submits that only such growers who are registered with the Board for the crop year 2008-2009 will be considered for renewal and admittedly such renewal did not exist in favour of the petitioners. He further submits that the applications were made long after the lapse of stipulated date. There is serious dispute as to the eligibility of the petitioners for renewal of their licenses. While they assert that they possess the requisite qualifications, the respondents plead that the basic criterion, namely, existence of license for the previous year is absent in respect of the petitioners. Be that as it may, once the petitioners have submitted applications for renewal of their licenses, the respondents are under obligation to examine the same and pass appropriate orders. The petitioners cannot be made to wait indefinitely, particularly, when the crop season has already commenced. Therefore, the writ petitions are disposed of directing the respondents to pass appropriate orders on the applications of the petitioners within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. ______________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J 22nd October, 2009 Note: Issue CC in three days. (B/o) GHN