Bengal Traders And ANR v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

D/L 13 28.02.2025 Court No.14 PRADIP

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION WPA 1814 of 2025 Bengal Traders & Anr.

Vs.

State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Arif Ali Mr. Animesh Sanyal Mr. Pankaj Kr. Prasad ... for the Petitioners.

Mr. Nilotpal Chatterjee Mr. Amrita Lal Chatterjee ... for the State.

Ms. Parna Roy Chowdhury ...for the FDC.

1. The petitioners are aggrieved by the enhancement of the electricity charges by the State Fisheries Development Corporation with whom the petitioners have an agreement.

2. The petitioners allege that, the electricity charges have been raised unilaterally from Rs. 10/- to Rs. 15/- per unit from the month of August, 2024.

3. A representation, objecting to such enhancement, is pending consideration at the end of the authority.

4. Learned advocate representing the Fisheries Development Corporation submits, upon instruction that, three is huge outstanding dues on account of unpaid electricity bills amounting to Rs.15,33,205/- which is pending from August, 2024 to January, 2025.

5. As it appears that, the representation challenging the enhancement is pending consideration before the authority, accordingly, the instant writ petition is disposed of by directing the Managing Director, State Fisheries Development Corporation being the respondent no. 2 herein to consider the

said representation after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners and all other necessary parties and dispose of the same by passing a reasoned order.

6. A decision shall be taken in the matter at the earliest, but positively within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order.

7. The petitioner is directed to deposit the admitted dues at the rate of Rs. 10/- per unit till the matter is finally disposed of by the aforesaid respondent. If the due amount at the prevailing rate of Rs. 10/- per unit is not paid by the petitioners by six weeks, it will be open for the respondents to take steps against the petitioners as provided in law.

8. The writ petition stands disposed of.

9. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance of all the requisite formalities.

(Amrita Sinha, J.)