PANCHANAN SAHOO Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petition bearing W.P.(c) No. 5689 of 2012 has been filed with a prayer to quash Annexure-2 as well as the decision for appointment of a Transport Contractor for handling and transportation of food grains till the recommendation made by Justice Wadhwa Committee is implemented in its entirety and bringing necessary amendments to Orissa Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2008 by excluding the private agencies for any purpose including transportation and till then the petitioner who is continuing as a storage agent may be allowed to continue by giving necessary extension to its licence issued under Annexure-1.

(2.) In W.P.(C) Nos.1309 and 1310 of 2012 the petitioners have challenged the legality of the advertisement published in the daily Odia Newspaper "The Sambad" dated 14.12.2011 (Annexure-4) inviting tender for engagement of Contractor for transportation of stocks from designated Rice Receiving Centre-cum-Departmental Storage Centre (RRC-cum-DSC) to retail points on the ground that the same would adversely affect the distribution system of essential commodities and also right of the petitioners.

(3.) In both the connected writ petitions, i.e., W.P.(C). Nos. 1309 and 1310 of 2012, the petitioners were issued with licences in their favour to operate as wholesaler/storage agents of the commodities such as rice, wheat and sugar etc. under the Public Distribution System (for short, 'PDS') and discharge their duties to the best satisfaction of the consumers and authorities. The period of validity of their licences has been extended till 31st March, 2012 and their prayer is to extend the validity of their licences.