B VENKATESWARA RAO Vs. REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies and learned counsel for the petitioner.

(2.) The petitioner has assailed the orders dated 20-5-1996 whereby the Revenue Divisional Officer based on enquiry of the Inspector, Vigilance Cell, has suspended the authorisation of the petitioner, who was a fair price shop dealer of Shop No. 11 of Bhadrachalam Town.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the impugned order is one passed awarding the penalty of suspension without issuing a show-cause notice or affording an opportunity to the petitioner of being heard in the matter and that no enquiry whatsoever has been conducted. It is further contended that the order of suspension passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer is one of substantive punishment and not one passed in contemplation of an enquiry.