Gadde Padmavathi, v. The State Of A.P.,

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO WRIT PETITION NO.31061 OF 2015 ORDER:

The petitioner was appointed as a fair price shop dealer of Annavaram Village, Pedanandipadu Mandal, Guntur District and his authorization was valid up to 31.03.2015. A show cause notice dated 18.08.2014 was issued framing two charges against the petitioner. The petitioner submitted a reply and after receipt of reply, an order suspending authorization of the petitioner was passed on 13.09.2014. The petitioner preferred an appeal against the said order and the second respondent passed an order dated 20.02.2015 remanding the matter to the third respondent with a direction to complete the disciplinary proceedings pending against the petitioner within a period of four weeks. Even after lapse of six months, no order was passed by the third respondent. In the said circumstances, the present Writ Petition is filed.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies for the respondents. In view of pendency of proceedings before the third respondent pursuant to the show cause notice dated 18.08.2014, this Court is not inclined to interfere with the enquiry process at this stage. However, the second respondent has already passed an order on 20.02.2015 directing the third respondent to complete the disciplinary proceedings. In normal circumstances, the third respondent should have completed the disciplinary proceedings and passed the final order. In the circumstances of the case, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing the third respondent to conduct an enquiry in respect of the allegations against the petitioner by giving her sufficient opportunity and pass final orders within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending shall stand closed. ________________________ (A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO, J)

12th October 2015 RRB