Chief Justice's Court
Case :- PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 2965 of 2018 Petitioner :- Sultan Husain Respondent :- State Of Up Through Its Principal Secretary, Food And Civil Supply And 5 Others Counsel for Petitioner :- Mahender Pal Singh Yadav Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C.
Hon'ble Dilip B. Bhosale,Chief Justice Hon'ble Suneet Kumar,J.
Heard Mr. Satya Prakash Yadav, Advocate, holding for Mr. Mahender Pal Singh Yadav, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Ramanand Pandey, learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel for the respondents-State.
The instant writ petition in public interest has been instituted on the allegation that the fifth and sixth respondents, who are fair price shop dealers, are committing various illegalities in the distribution of essential commodities.
We note that the National Food Security Act, 1913 and more particularly Section 15 thereof envisages the appointment of a District Grievance Redressal Officer, who may be approached in respect of complaints against the distribution of essential commodities. The provision obliges the District Grievance Redressal Officer to duly scrutinize such complaints and pass appropriate orders as may be warranted in the facts and circumstances of each case. In our considered opinion therefore, the complaint of the petitioner would merit scrutiny and enquiry by the District Grievance Redressal Officer in the first instance. Accordingly, without going into the merits or otherwise of the allegations levelled against the fifth and sixth respondents, we dispose of this writ petition with liberty to the petitioner to approach the concerned District Grievance Redressal Officer. In case the petitioner files a complaint before the said Officer within a period of two weeks from today, the concerned Officer shall have the same duly enquired into and take such further steps as may be warranted in the facts and circumstances of the case. The District Grievance Redressal Officer shall endeavour to decide the complaint expeditiously and shall in any view of the matter conclude the enquiry not later than within a period of two months from the date of presentation of the complaint before him.
Order Date :- 26.2.2018 AHA (Dilip B Bhosale, CJ) (Suneet Kumar, J)