Karnataka HC upholds opening of additional fair price shop in village, dismisses monopoly claims
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court today observed that the purpose of fair price shops is to ensure easy and accessible distribution of essential commodities to all citizens, especially those from impoverished backgrounds. The court made this observation while dismissing a petition by Mahatma Gandhiji Grama Hitha Mandali, a fair price shop operator, challenging the government's decision to open another fair price shop in the same village.
A single judge bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj clarified that the Karnataka Essential Commodities Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016, does not promote monopolies by authorizing only one fair price shop in a locality. Instead, the Order aims to facilitate speedy and affordable distribution of goods to all citizens.
The petitioner argued that the new shop would reduce the number of ration cardholders attached to his shop, thus impacting his business. However, the government contended that the decision was made following a representation from villagers and assured that a minimum of 500 cardholders would remain attached to the petitioner's shop as mandated by Rule 11 (2) of the Control Order, 2016.
The court, in its findings, noted that the petitioner's shop had more than 1,200 cardholders, which is double the minimum requirement in rural areas. The court further stated that there is no vested right for the petitioner to retain all cardholders, and the authorities are within their rights to establish additional fair price shops as long as the minimum requirement is met.
The petition was dismissed accordingly.
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PWD, Google Maps officials booked in Bareilly bridge death case
Budaun (UP), Nov 25: Police here have booked officials of the Public Works Department and Google Maps in connection with the death of three men whose car rolled over an under-construction bridge while following directions on the navigation app, an officer on Monday said.
The car fell into the Ramganga river from a partially constructed bridge in Dataganj Police Station area early Sunday.
Nitin and Ajit, aged 30, both brothers from Farrukhabad district, and Amit, 40, from Mainpuri district, were on their way from Noida to Faridpur in Bareilly to attend a wedding.
According to police, the driver was led by Google Maps into taking the unsafe route.
The incident took place on the Bareilly-Budaun border.
Dataganj Police Station SHO Gaurav Bishnoi said an FIR on charges of laxity in duty and others was filed against four engineers of the PWD, along with some unknown people.
The regional officer of Google Map has also been brought under the scope of investigation. His name is yet to be included in the FIR.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Google in a statement said, "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We're working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue."
On Sunday, Faridpur Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said, "Earlier this year, floods caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse onto the river, but this change had not been updated in the system."
He said the bridge had no safety barriers or warning signs on the approach.
