K.RAMACHANDRAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner was an authorised ration dealer under the Kerala Rationing Order, 1966 (the Order). There was an inspection in the shop of the petitioner by the Squad of the concerned Supply Officer on 18.02.2009. In the said inspection, it was revealed that the petitioner was holding 58 kgs of rice of two varieties and 71.2 Kgs of sugar in excess of the stock. It was also revealed in the inspection that the petitioner has distributed Kerosene to persons other than card holders. It was further revealed in the inspection that the petitioner has distributed rice intended for distribution at concessional rate to a particular category of card holders, to different category of card holders who are not entitled for the same. The dealership of the petitioner, in the circumstances, was suspended initially in terms of Ext.P1 order. Aggrieved by Ext.P1 order, petitioner preferred an appeal before the Government and the same has been rejected in terms of the Ext.P8 order. Ext.P8 order is under challenge in the writ petition.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as also the learned Government Pleader.

(3.) Placing reliance on Ext.P7 written submission made before the Government, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that none of the contentions raised by the petitioner before the Government has been considered in the matter of passing Ext.P8 order. It was also submitted by the learned counsel that at any rate, the termination of the dealership was disproportionate to the irregularities found out.