SUBHASH KHOBRA Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed this writ petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India seeking the following substantive reliefs:-

(2.) In the considered view of this Court, the question which arises for adjudication is "whether it would be appropriate to issue a writ of mandamus to the State Government to relax the requirements/norms which directory circulated by an expert body to facilitate setting up of fuel stations"?

(3.) Some facts are required to be noticed. Pursuant to a public notice, the petitioner claims to have applied for allotment of a fuel station (Kissan Seva Kendra Dealership) for MS/HSD at village Balianwala under the category Corpus Fund Site. It is pleaded that an applicant under such category is required to provide the land and super structure, whereas the pump, tank and automation are provided by the Indian Oil Corporation. The petitioner claims that he is owner of 2 kanals 8.5 marlas land and hence, applied under Scheduled Caste category. In the draw of lots held on 19.06.2019, he was declared successful. He is stated to have deposited initial scrutiny fee. The Land Evaluation Committee of the oil company visited the site and found it to be suitable. Thereafter, another committee deputed for field verification of credentials of the petitioner also did not find anything adverse against the petitioner. Thus, a letter of intent was issued on 22.09.2019. As per clause 10 of the letter of intent, the petitioner was required to assist the oil company to get the requisite "No Objection Certificate" from the appropriate authority. In clause 17, it was specified that this letter is merely a letter of intent and cannot be construed as a firm offer.