Rani Nilam Devi @ Rani Nilam v. The State Of Bihar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.18466 of 2019 ====================================================== Rani Nilam Devi @ Rani Nilam W/o Mahesh Mandal R/o Village-Nawtoliya, P.O. Kolwara, P.S. Pasraha, District-Khagaria ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1.
The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Patna 2.
The Divisional Commissioner Munger 3.
The District Magistrate Khagaria 4.
The District Supply Officer Khagaria 5.
The Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) Khagaria 6.
The Sub-Divisional Officer Gogri, District-Khagaria 7.
Rama Kant Mandal Son of Birbal Sharma R/o Village-Teliya Bathan, P.O. Kolwara, P.S. Pasraha, District-Khagaria ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s :
Mr.Dhirendra Nath Jha, Advocate For the Respondent/s :
Mr.Arvind Ujjwal (Sc4) ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE JUSTICE SMT. G. ANUPAMA CHAKRAVARTHY ORAL JUDGMENT Date : 17-10-2025
1. The present Writ petition is filed for the following reliefs:- "I. For issuance of writ in the nature of Certiorari to quash the order/direction taken by the Respondents on 10.07.2019 for selection of Ramakant Mandal for giving licence of PDS shop contained in Annexure-10.
II. For issuance of writ in the nature of mandamus commanding and directing the respondents to select the
2/5 petitioner for giving licence of PDS shop as she deserves to select the same.
III. For holding and declaration that petitioner deserves for her selection in getting/issuing licence of shop under Public Distribution System.
And/or Pass such other orders as deem fit and proper in the instant of justice."
2. At this juncture, the Learned counsel for the respondents contended that Section 32(iii) of the Bihar Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016 provides for the provision of appeal and Section 32(vi) of the Bihar Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016 provides for the provision of revision. Section 32(iii) 32(v) and 32(vi) read as follows:
"32 (iii). Any person aggrieved by an order of the licensing authority denying the issue or renewal of the license to the fair price shop owner or cancellation of the license may appeal to the District Officer within thirty days of the date of receipt of the order and the District Magistrate shall, as far as
3/5 practicable, dispose the appeal within a period of sixty days."
32. (v) Till the disposal of appeal pending, the Appellate Authority may direct that the order under appeal shall not take effect for such period as the authority may consider necessary for giving a reasonable opportunity to the other party under sub-clause (4) or until the appeal is disposed of, whichever is earlier.
(vi) Due to non disposal of the appeal within sixty days by the District Officer or against the order passed in the appeal, a revision may be filed before the Divisional Commissioner. The revision shall be disposed of within two months.
3. Admittedly, from the reliefs prayed for in the writ petition, it is evident that the petitioner has an alternative remedy under the provisions of Bihar Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016.
4. The remedy available under the Act is to prefer an appeal before the District Magistrate. As
4/5 the District Magistrate is the head of the Selection Committee he cannot review his orders in an appeal. Therefore, the petitioner is directed to file a complaint/application before the Divisional Commissioner.
5. The Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that he intends to file a complaint/application before the concerned authority, but the limitation period for filing the same has lapsed. He prayed for a direction to the concerned authority to entertain the same in accordance with Section 5 of the Limitation Act. 6.
Taking into consideration that the petitioner has an alternative remedy for filing complaint/application, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to file complaint/application within two months from the date of receipt of this order before the concerned
5/5 authority.
The delay in filing the complaint/application shall be condoned by the authority concerned, and the authority shall dispose of the same within three months from the date of filing of the same.
7. With the above said observation, the Writ petition is disposed of.
8. Interlocutory Application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
(G. Anupama Chakravarthy, J) amitkr/- AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE N/A Uploading Date 17.10.2025 Transmission Date N/A