THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.33589 of 2011 Date: 20.12.2011 Between: K. Venkataramana …. Petitioner And The Collector and District Magistrate, Guntur, Guntur District and another. …. Respondents THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI Writ Petition No.33589 of 2011 ORDER: Heard Sri K. Srinivas, 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 grievance presented by the learned counsel for the petitioner for a direction to the 1st respondent to conclude the enquiry initiated in pursuance of the panchanama dated 10.11.2011 and not to dispose of the seized stock until then, this writ petition is disposed of with the consent of both the counsel at the admission stage. 2. The petitioner claims to be a partner of M/s. Venkatalakshmi Dall Mill, situated at Geetha Mandir Road, Narasaraopet, Guntur District, a registered firm and holding a licence under the provisions of A.P. Scheduled Commodities Dealers (Licencing, Storage and Regulation) Order, 2008. The Civil Supplies Deputy Tahsildar, Narasaraopet, Guntur District, inspected the business premises of the petitioner on 10.11.2011 and seized the stock of red gram and red gram dall on the ground that there is variation in the said stock when compared to the ground balance. A report to that effect was laid before the 1st respondent-Collector and District Magistrate, Guntur, Guntur District for appropriate action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for brevity “the Act”). Taking cognisance of the said report, the 1st respondent issued a show-cause notice under Section 6-B of the Act on 17.11.2011. On the same day, the 1st respondent also issued the impugned proceedings in E.C.Act Case No.443/2011-S7, dated 17.11.2011 directing the 2nd respondent- Tahsildar, Narasaraopet Mandal, Guntur District, to dispose of the seized stock by way of public auction. Pursuant to the said order, the 2nd respondent has issued the impugned public notice in Rc.No.1882/2011-A, dated 14.12.2011 for sale of the seized stock. 3. The petitioner has filed this writ petition challenging the seizure by contending that the allegations are untrue and that he is prepared to participate in the enquiry and defend his case. It is further submitted that even before the allegations are enquired into, the 1st respondent has issued the impugned proceedings to dispose of the stock and in such an event he would suffer grave and irreparable loss. The learned counsel, therefore, submits that it would suffice if the 1st respondent is directed to complete the enquiry within a time frame and not to dispose of the seized stock till the conclusion of enquiry. 4. The learned Assistant Government Pleader has no objection in granting such 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. Since the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Act is likely to take some time, in the meanwhile, if the seized stock is sold, it might cause grave and irreparable loss to the petitioner. 6. In the circumstances and also keeping in view the short relief sought for by the learned counsel for the petitioner at the hearing, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition directing the 1st respondent to complete the enquiry initiated under Section 6-A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in pursuance of the panchanama dated 10.11.2011 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. Till conclusion of the said enquiry and final orders are passed, the seized stock of the petitioner shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of. 7. Subject to the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. 8. In view of disposal of the writ petition, W.P.M.P.No.41756 of 2011 is dismissed as unnecessary. ________________________ JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI 20.12.2011. NOTE: Issue C.C. today. (B/O) Msr THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOUSHAD ALI WRIT PETITION No.33589 of 2011 20.12.2011 (Msr)