THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.29426 of 2011 Date: 03.11.2011 Between: M. Appalanaidu … Petitioner and The Revenue Divisional Officer, Srikakulam District and another. … Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.29426 of 2011 ORDER : Heard Sri V.V. Narasimha Rao, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, as well as the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents. Having regard to the short relief sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner at the hearing to direct the 1st respondent-Revenue Divisional Officer, Srikakulam District, for early disposal of the enquiry proceedings, with the consent of both the counsel, the writ petition is being disposed of at the admission stage. 2. The petitioner is Fair Price Shop dealer of Suryanarayanapuram Village, Laveru Mandal, Srikakulam District. On 21.7.2011, the 2nd respondent-Tahsildar of Laveru Mandal along with a Senior Assistant inspected the shop of the petitioner and submitted a report dated 22.7.2011 alleging that the petitioner was supplying less quantity of kerosene to the cardholders at higher price and that he failed to supply kerosene for the month of July, 2011. It was further alleged that on verification of the sales and stock registers, the petitioner was found to have manipulated the sales register by putting some thumb impressions as if he had distributed kerosene to the cardholders for the month of July, 2011. Thus, the petitioner is alleged to have diverted kerosene for sale in the open market in contravention of the provisions of the A.P. State Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2008 and the conditions of authorisation. Taking cognizance of the said report, the 1st respondent passed the impugned proceedings Rc.No.1529/2011/H, dated 22.10.2011, suspending the authorisation of the petitioner pending the enquiry under Section 6- A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for brevity “the Act”). Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has not committed any irregularities in contravention of the provisions of the said Control Order. The learned counsel also submits that even though the petitioner is prepared to participate in the enquiry and defend his case, the 1st respondent is not likely to conduct the enquiry and finalise the proceedings within a reasonable time, thus causing hardship to the petitioner. The learned counsel, therefore, submits that the 1st respondent be directed to conduct and conclude the enquiry by passing appropriate orders within a time frame. 4. The learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies has no objection for such a direction. 5. Admittedly, an enquiry under Section 6-A of the Act is pending before the 1st respondent. In matters of this nature, the Statutory authorities are expected to pass orders expeditiously within a reasonable time. 6. In the circumstances and also keeping in view the short relief sought for by learned counsel for the petitioner at the hearing, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 1st respondent to complete the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 pursuant to the report dated 22.7.2011 of the 2nd respondent and pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No order as to costs. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 03.11.2011. Msr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.29426 of 2011 03.11.2011 (Msr)