MADAN SADASHIV WAVHALE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Learned counsel for the respondents waive service. With the consent, all the Petitions are taken up for final hearing at the stage of admission.

(2.) We divide this group of Writ Petitions into two groups. The First Group would contain the Petitions from Writ Petition no. 1950 of 2011 to Writ Petition no. 2267 of 2011. (see page no. 1 to 94), whereas the Second Group would contain the Petitions from Writ Petition no. 1778 of 2011 to Writ Petition no. 2275 of 2011. (see page no. 95 to 126) (For short these groups will be referred to as the

(3.) The petitioners, in the first group of Petitions, have taken exception to the Circular dated 31.1.2011 issued by the State Government, through its Principal Secretary, Food Civil Supply and Consumer Protection Department (For short "The Circular"). They are seeking declaration that the Circular is illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 15(3), 15(4), 19(1)(c), 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and is liable to be quashed and set aside. In the second group of Writ Petitions, the petitioners have challenged the proclamations issued by District Supply Officers, inviting applications for allotment of kerosene retail licenses at various villages in their respective districts. The petitioners in this Group of Petitions, are also seeking injunction against the respondents restraining them from discontinuing/reducing/withdrawing their kerosene quota.