Tapas Kumar Manna v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

06.05.2026 ct no. 10 Sl. 60 AGM WPA 6640 of 2026 Tapas Kumar Manna -Versus- State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Bhaskar Roy.

Mr. Debayan Dey.

... For the petitioner.

Mr. Jayanta Kumar Das.

Mrs. Madhumanti Das.

... For the Private respondent.

1. Affidavit of Service filed today is kept on record.

2. The petitioner in the instant case is an intending applicant who applied for a license in respect of vacancy ID No. 202200248103 for a fair price shop Dealership pursuant to the notice issued on 29.5.2024 by the sub-divisional Controller & Exofficio Deputy Director, Food & Supply Dept. Tamluk, Purba Medinipur.

3. Main grievance of the petitioner is that, despite being an eligible and suitable candidate, the offer letter has been issued in favour of the private respondent on 10.2.2026 in respect of the said vacancy.

4. Apropos the facts of the case, an inspection has been conducted on 18.9.2024 by the respondent no. 5 in respect of both applications submitted by the petitioner and the private respondent.

5. In November 2025, the final selection has been published, and the petitioner has not been considered, the most suitable candidate for grant of a license in respect of the vacancy for FPS.

6. The petitioner submitted a representation on 29.11.2025. However, the same remains pending for consideration.

7. The petitioner made a further representation before all the respondent authorities on 12.3.2026. However, the same also remains pending for consideration.

8. None appears on behalf of the State respondents despite service.

9. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent no. 6 submits that the private respondent has already been found to be the most suitable candidate for grant of a license for the FPS dealership in respect of the said vacancy. An offer letter has been issued accordingly. The offer letter dated 10.2.2026 is taken on record.

10. Having heard the parties and upon perusing the records made available, I am of the considered view that since the representation dated 12.3.2026 is still pending consideration and the license has not yet been granted for FPS dealership against the vacancy in question, I direct the respondent no. 4 to consider and dispose of the representation dated 12.3.2026 in

respect of the grievances made in paragraph 10 of the representation at page 91 within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order and to pass a reasoned order in accordance with law upon affording an opportunity of hearing to both the petitioner and respondent no. 6 and to communicate such decision within a week thereafter.

11. However, it is made clear that at the time of consideration, if a further inspection is required for proper adjudication of the case, the authorities shall be at liberty to conduct such inspection so as to arrive at a logical conclusion before the grant of a license in respect of the vacancy in question.

12. In view of the above, the writ petition stands disposed of without going into the merits of the case.

13. Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order be supplied to the parties, if applied for, as early as possible.

(Smita Das De, J.)