DILIP BARMAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The instant bunch of intra-Court writ appeals, led by WA 51/2023, takes exception to the judgment and final order dtd. 22/12/2022 passed by the learned Single Judge rejecting a bunch of writ petitions, led by W.P.(C) 5470/2021 (Bijoy Bora and Another vs. The State of Assam and others), involving identical controversy and issues.

(2.) Heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the material placed on record.

(3.) The appellants herein (writ petitioners) were granted licences for operating Fair Price Shops ('FPS' for short) in different districts of the State of Assam. Each licence holder (appellants herein) was having 50 or less than 50 ration cards attached to the respective FPS. A communication dtd. 30/5/2020 came to be issued by the Assistant Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, requiring the appellants/writ petitioners to attach their FPS to the nearest FPS having more than 50 ration cards tagged to it or to surrender their licences within three days of receiving such notice. Another Notification dtd. 7/8/2021 came to be issued by the Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Department of Government of Assam, with the direction that the ration cards of those FPS having 50 or less than 50 ration cards would be attached to the nearest FPS having more than 50 ration cards.