Donthuluri Sarada, v. The Union Of India,

HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA KODANDA RAM WRIT PETITION No.27683 OF 2017 Date 18.08.2017 Between:

Donthuluri Sarada.

... Petitioner AND The Union of India rep. by its Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Corporation, New Delhi and others ......Respondents

HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA KODANDA RAM WRIT PETITION No. 27683 of 2017 ORDER:

The grievance of the petitioner is that, initially, the last date for receiving the applications for appointment of LPG distributorship was notified as 18.10.2013 and, later, extended till 18.11.2013. Though advertisement was made, and applications submitted in 2013 itself, no decision has been taken since then.

By communication dated 24.07.2017, petitioner's candidature was rejected on the ground that a balance of Rs.2,50,000/- was not available with petitioner/family unit as on the last date of submission of application as per corrigendum dated 18.11.2013.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner made an application on 16.11.2013, and the fulfillment of requirement of minimum balance of Rs.2,50,000/- in the account as on 18.11.2013 is a question which requires to be verified. He submits that the petitioner had credit of Rs.97,877/- which was assigned to her by her father from the provident fund; and, for ascertaining financial readiness, one of the factors which can be taken into consideration is PPF either of the applicant or as the family unit, as defined in the notification; and, if the same is taken into consideration, the petitioner would be eligible for award of LPG

distributorship and her application ought not to have been rejected.

Sri B.Mayur Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for the respondent - Corporation, places reliance on guideline No.13 of Brochure on Guidelines for Selection of Regular LPG Distributors notified in May, 2013 to contend that grievance redressal mechanism is provided; and, the petitioner having been intimated about the rejection only on 24.07.2017, instead of approaching this Court, she ought to have approached the grievance redressal cell in terms of guideline No.13.

Having considered the respective submissions, there being an alternative remedy and mechanism created, petitioner is at liberty to avail the remedy of redressal mechanism notified under guideline No.13.

As the petitioner has since approached this Court, she shall make an application to the respondents, within a period of ten days from today, which shall be considered objectively. Subject to the above observations, the Writ Petition stands disposed of.

Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand dismissed. No order as to costs.

____________________________ CHALLA KODANDA RAM,J Date: 18.08.2017 Note:CC today bo usd