Neo Seeds India Limited v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE M.S.RAMACHANDRA RAO WRIT PETITION No.20958 OF 2018 O R D E R :

Heard counsel for petitioner and the Government Pleader for Agriculture appearing for respondents.

2.

Petitioner has assailed proceedings dt.31.07.2018 of the Additional Director of Agriculture(3rd respondent) suspending petitioner's license for three years for the alleged violation of Sections and of the Seeds Act, and the Seed(Control)Order, 1983.

3.

The contention of the counsel for petitioner is that the 3rd respondent is obligated to provide a personal hearing under Regulation 15 framed under the Seed (Control) Order, 1983 and that no such personal hearing is granted to the petitioner. 4.

The order dt.31.07.2018 passed by 3rd respondent does not indicate that any personal hearing was given to the petitioner and this is also not disputed by the Government Pleader for Agriculture.

5.

In this view of the matter, the Writ Petition is disposed of; the order dt.31.07.2018 passed by 3rd respondent is set aside; and the matter is remanded back to the 3rd respondent to provide a personal hearing to the petitioner and pass a fresh reasoned order after considering petitioner's explanation and oral

submissions, and communicate the same to the petitioner. No order as to costs.

6.

Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions pending if any, shall stand closed.

_______________________________ M.S. RAMACHANDRA RAO, J 23rd August, 2018.

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