P.J.JOSE Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner is a licensee of A.W.D. No.2 situated in Mukundapuram Taluk in Thrissur District. In connection with some misconducts, the licence granted to the concerned licensees, who were running A.W.Ds. 1 and 6 of Kodungalloor Taluk and A.W.D. No.9 of Mukundapuram Taluk respectively, came to be suspended and the said depots were attached to the depot of the petitioner as per Ext.P1.

(2.) PURSUANT to Ext.P1, the petitioner made all the requisite arrangements to find out a godown for storage of the food grains and also arranging necessary finance in this regard, lest the public distribution system should be adversely affected. After having taken necessary steps in this regard, the petitioner has been reportedly given to understand that the depots, which were attached to the depot of the petitioner, are now intended to be attached to the Civil Supplies Corporation, which, according to the petitioner, will cause huge loss to the petitioner, who has already made substantial investment. It is in such circumstances, that the petitioner has approached the first respondent by filing Ext.P4, which is still to be acted upon. This made the petitioner to file this writ petition.

(3.) HEARD the learned Government Pleader as well, who points out that, it was only on 'temporary arrangement' and that there cannot any vested right for the petitioner to say that A.W.D.Nos. 1 & 6 and A.W.D.No.9 stood remain attached to the depot of the petitioner for ever. After considering the various facts and circumstances, a policy decision has been taken to have the depots to be attached to the Civil Supply Corporation on a 'permanent arrangement', submits the learned Government Pleader.