M.Madhu Babu And 60 Others v. Indian Oil Corporation ( Ap And Ts) And 4 Others

HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE C. PRAVEEN KUMAR WRIT PETITION NO. 23679 of 2017 ORDER :

Heard both sides. With the consent of both parties the writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage. 2.

The present writ petition came to be filed seeking a direction to the second respondent to act in accordance with law and to insist the third respondent to arrange its showroom/ delivery infrastructure/ godown being an alternate distributor of LPG, at Gorantla, Ananthapuramu District, in accordance with the circular dated 25.08.2015 in Ref.No.SL/ AKM/ 1601, for rendering services to the consumers at Gorantla in a convenient manner without collecting any unauthorized charges.

3.

The petitioners, who are LPG consumers in Gorantla, were supplied with gas by M/ s.IOCL, in cylinders. The IOCL and other gas companies run the business of supplying cooking gas in cylinders to the consumers at their door step. The dealers have to establish delivery points at several places and render various services like booking/ transfer of gas connections, receiving complaints pertaining to cylinder, etc. It is stated that initially M/ s.Kruthika Indane at Gorantla - distributor had its office as well as delivery point at Gorantla itself, through which consumers were receiving necessary services. Thereafter, from 01.04.2012 to 20.06.2016, fourth respondent was appointed as alternate distributor by way of yearly renewals. It is stated that the second respondent appointed third

respondent as distributor, whose office is located at Chilmatur, by which the consumers of Gorantla were directed to get their cylinders from the third respondent, which is stationed at Chilmatur in Anantapuramu District. The grievance of the petitioners is that though the third respondent has facilitation point at Gorantla, but it does not have delivery infrastructure at Gorantla, thereby causing lot of inconvenience and suffering to the consumers. 4.

Learned Standing Counsel for IOCL, would submit that necessary instructions are being given to the third respondent to establish delivery infrastructure at Gorantla.

5.

Having regard to the statements made across the Bar, the writ petition is disposed of directing the second respondent to immediately take steps in this regard and direct the third respondent to establish delivery infrastructure facilities at Gorantla, in terms of the circular dated 25.08.2015, issued by the fifth respondent to all the LPG Heads/ Area Managers, so as to avoid inconvenience to the consumers. It is needless to mention that necessary instructions shall be given to the third respondent, within a period of two days from the date of receipt of a copy of the order and also see that the third respondent complies with the said instructions, within a period of three to four days, thereafter.

6.

With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

Consequently, miscellaneous petitions, if any pending, shall stand closed.

_________________________ JUSTICE C. PRAVEEN KUMAR 24.07.2017 vhb