RAGHUNATH Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE matters involving common questions are heard together finally by consent, and disposed of by this order. In this order, the term 'act' will refer to the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation)Act, 1966, the term 'rules' will refer to the Karnataka Agricultural produce Marketing (Regulation) Rules, 1968, the term 'market Commit-tee' will refer to an Agricultural Produce Market Committee established under the Act, and the term 'bye-laws' will refer to the Bye-laws framed by the respective Market Committees under Section 148 of the Act.

(2.) THE petitioners in W. P. Nos. 31599 to 31628 of 1999 claim that they are licensed Weighmen under the Market Committee, Bidar. The petitioners in W. P. Nos. 31629 to 31663 of 1999 claim that they are licensed Weighmen under the Market Committee, Gadag. The petitioners in W. P. Nos. 32573-32575 of 1999 claim that they are licensed weighmen under the Market Committee, Mundaragi.

(3.) THE petitioners claim that the State Government formulated a scheme known as the Weighmen Welfare Scheme in regard to the weighmen working in the Bangalore Market Yard under the control and jurisdiction of Market Committee, Bangalore, with effect from 1-4-1996. It is contended by petitioners that Licensed Weighmen operating in other market yards in the State, under the control of other Market committees are also discharging similar functions and, therefore, all licensed Weighmen, whether they are licensed by the Market Committee, Bangalore, or by the other Market Committees in the State should be treated equally and there should be no discrimination between similarly situated persons. It is the claim and contention of the petitioners that when a Licensed Weighman of Sindhanur Market Committee filed w. P. No. 6825 of 1997 seeking a relief similar to the relief granted to the weighmen in Bangalore Market Committee, this Court by order dated 12-8-1998 directed that the representation of the petitioner therein be considered in the light of the order dated 11-4-1996 in W. A. No. 3554 of 1995 and the scheme formulated by the Government which was incorporated in the said order, pertaining to licensed Weighmen of Bangalore market Committee.