SHEKHAR RAMCHANDRA BADADE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Counsel for the parties. The matter is taken up for final disposal forthwith, by consent.

(2.) The petitioner claims to be an agriculturist and agriculturist member of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Neera, District Pune, which is a constituent of Respondent No.5. He has filed this Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue direction to the respondents to forthwith hold elections to constitute the duly elected Committee of the respondent No.5 Pune District Agricultural Produce Market Committee. It is also prayed that direction be issued to the respondents to refrain from extending the appointment of the Administrator on the respondent No.5 any further.

(3.) The petitioner asserts that the erstwhile Market Committee was suspended on 29 th July, 2003 and Administrator was appointed to manage the affairs of the said Committee. That arrangement has continued unbated. While the Administrator on the erstwhile Committee continued, the State Government in exercise of powers under Section 13 (1B) of the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 1963 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'), established the respondent No.5 Committee vide Government Notification dated 10 th January, 2008. The said Notification reads thus: