THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.7655 of 2011 Date: 23.03.2011 Between: Radha Krishna Picture Palace, Nidadavole, West Godavari District, Rep.by its Partner M. Hanumantha Rao and others. … Petitioner and The Government of Andhra Pradesh, Home Department, Secretariat Buildings, Hyderabad, rep.by its Principal Secretary and another. … Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.7655 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Sri O. Manohar Reddy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners as well as the learned Government Pleader for Home appearing for the respondents and with the consent of both the counsel, the writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. 2. The petitioners, who are the exhibitors of films as per the licenses obtained by them under the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955, have filed this writ petition to declare the action of the respondents in not enhancing the rates of admission in cinema theatres, as arbitrary and illegal and consequently direct the respondents to consider the representation dated 8.3.2011 said to have been filed by them. 3. It is the case of the petitioners that under Rule 11 (B)(3)(a) of the Andhra Pradesh Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1970 (for brevity “the Rules”), the licensing authority is empowered to fix maximum rates of admission to different classes of audience in the licensed premises. On account of various factors, such as development in communication technology, advent of the satellites and T.V. Channels, the patronage of the public to the cinema theatres has considerably decreased thereby affecting the revenue to a great extent. Therefore, they made a representation dated 8.3.2011 to the 2nd respondent-Joint Collector and Licensing Authority, West Godavari District, seeking enhancement of the rates. As the said representation has not been attended to, the petitioners have filed the present writ petition for the aforesaid relief. 4. I am not inclined to decide the matter on merits. Even according to the petitioners, as per Rule 11 (B)(3)(a) of the Rules, the power to fix the rates is vested with the Licensing Authority. As the petitioners have already moved the appropriate authority, I deem it appropriate to direct the 2nd respondent-Joint Collector and Licensing Authority, West Godavari District, Eluru, to consider the representation dated 8.3.2011 made by the petitioners and pass appropriate orders in accordance with the Rules governing the field as early as possible, preferably within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5. Subject to above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. _________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 23.03.2011. Note: Issue C.C. by 24.3.2011. (B/O) Msr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.7655 of 2011 23.03.2011 (Msr)