A NAZEEM Vs. COMMISSIONER, VILLUPURAM MUNICIPALITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By consent, this Writ Appeal itself is taken up for final disposal.

(2.) The appellant is the petitioner in W.P.No.14604 of 2017 and according to him, she was a successful bidder in respect of Shop No.3, Thiru-Vi-Ka Street, Villupuram and the licence to run the shop was initially granted for a period of three years from 01.04.2007 to 31.03.2010 on a monthly rent of Rs.820/- and thereafter, at every three years, it has been enhanced by 15% and she was also prompt in paying the same. It is the claim of the petitioner that she is eking out his livelihood solely on the income earned in running the said shop and the licence amount has also been enhanced periodically and as of now, she is paying Rs.1,202/- per month. However, to her shock and surprise, the respondent has issued the impugned notice enhancing the licence amount manifold to Rs.8,394/- and she made a challenge to the said order by filing a writ petition in W.P.No.14604 of 2017 and it was entertained. Similarly placed persons had also filed W.P.Nos.14602, 14603 and 14605 to 14618 of 2017.

(3.) The learned Judge, vide common order dated 20.11.2017, after taking note of the factual aspects and the Division Bench decision of this Court in P.Muthusamy v. State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by its Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Chennai and Another, (2014) 5 MadLJ 129, has dismissed the writ petitions and it is relevant to extract para 10 of the said judgment :