Idukki District Traditional Cardamom Producer Co.Ltd., v. The Spices Board

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 03.06.2020

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J W.P.(MD)No.6266 2020 Idukki District Traditional Cardamom Producer Co.Ltd., Rep. by its Managing Director, Mr.T.V.Ramkrishnan, S/o.Thippanagowder, No.5/25, Aalamarathu Street, Cumbum, Theni - 625 516.

... Petitioner vs.

1. The Spices Board, (Ministry of Commerce & Industry Govt. of India), Rep. by its Secretary, Sugantha Bhavan, N.H.By-pass Road, Post Box No.2277, Palarivattom Post, Cochin, Kerala - 682 025.

2. The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Theni District, Theni.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to conduct cardamom E-auction at the spices board auction centre, Bodinayakanur at Theni District, Tamil Nadu and further direct the 1st respondent to support our company to bring the sample cardamoms from the storage places at Kerala.

For Petitioner :Ms.S.Bhuvaneswari for M/s.Raja. Karthikeyan For Respondents : Mr.R.Murali for Mr.K.Govindarajan, Standing Counsel for R1.

Mrs.J.Padmavathi Devi, Special Govt.Pleader for R2 & R3 ****

O R D E R

Heard, Ms.S.Bhuvaneswari, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.R.Murali, learned counsel for the 1st respondent and also Mrs.J.Padmavathi Devi, learned Special Government Pleader for 1/3

the 2nd and 3rd respondents.

2. Pursuant to the meeting conducted by the District Collector with the members of the petitioner Association, the Deputy Director (Marketing) of the Spices Board, at Kochi, by proceedings No.MKT-AUC/0021/2015 dated 01.06.2020, had issued a circular enclosing the dates of E-auction and also the venue. The petitioner Association was concerned that the venue was fixed at Puttadi and not at Bodinayakanur, but in the circular now presented before this Court, it is seen that the E-auction would be conducted on alternate days at Puttadi and at Bodinayakanur. The time and the name of the auction has also been given in the circular. The guidelines to be followed have also been included. The proceedings of the District Collector of Theni District, who had also approved the holding of the E-auction has also been enclosed along with the circular. The Standard Operating Procedure to be adhered while restarting the industries have also been annexed.

3. This Court places its deep appreciation to the members of the petitioner Association and more particularly, to the District Collector, Theni, who had, keeping in mind the necessity to Eauction the cardamom, had come forward with a positive direction to actually conduct the E-auction. The 1st respondent namely, the Director of Spices Board, Kochi, has also extended their cooperation and also deserves appreciation by this Court.

4. Ms.S.Bhuvaneswari, the learned counsel for the petitioner, pointed out that the members of the petitioner Association would participate in the E-auction as directed and would also adhere with the conditions stipulated and the guidelines framed. Mr.R.Murali, the learned counsel for the 1st respondent and Mrs.J.Padmavathi Devi, learned Special Government Pleader, assured the Court that the E-auction would be conducted in accordance with the guidelines already notified.

5. Recording the said submissions, nothing further survives in the writ petition. Writ Petition is disposed of, since an amicable solution had been brought out by the parties concerned. No Costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (Crl Side) // True Copy // / /2020 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) 2/3

Pkn To

1. Secretary, The Spices Board, (Ministry of Commerce & Industry Govt. of India), Sugantha Bhavan, N.H.By-pass Road, Post Box No.2277, Palarivattom Post, Cochin, Kerala - 682 025.

2. The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Theni District, Theni.

+1 CC to M/s.RAJA.KARTHIKEYAN, Advocate ( SR-13109[F] dated 05/06/2020 ) +1 CC to M/s.SPL GP ( SR-13135[F] dated 05/06/2020 ) 03.06.2020 KK(10.06.2020) 3 P 6C 3/3