M VENKATESWARA RAO Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Food Corporation of India, the 2nd respondent herein, faced the problem of shortage of storage facility for foodgrains. In the year 2002, it evolved a scheme of "Grameena Bandharan Yojana". Under that scheme, the Central Warehousing Corporation and the respective State Warehousing Corporations were permitted to construct godowns, either by themselves, or through private investors. THE 2nd respondent assumed the occupancy in godowns for a stipulated period. Some of the locations were identified for construction of godowns, with the facility of railway siding. In the State of Andhra Pradesh, seven places were identified for this purpose and one such place is 'Navabpalem', near Tadepalligudem, West Godavari District.

(2.) The petitioners were accorded permission to construct a godown with railway siding at Navabpalem. THE 2nd respondent has an arrangement with the A.P. State Warehousing Corporation, the 3rd respondent, and the latter, in turn, entered into agreement with the petitioners. Guarantee utilization of godowns for seven years was given and the petitioners have chosen the option of payment of fixed rents at the rate of Rs.2/-, per square feet, per month.

(3.) A representation was made to the Union of India, the 1st respondent herein by the petitioners, in this regard. Through a communication, dated 9.7.2007, the 1st respondent refused to accede to the request of the petitioners, as regards issuance of directions to respondents 2 and 3 to pay the transport charges on par with road fed godowns. Hence, this writ petition.