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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Double-decker electric bus gutted in fire at Kurla BEST depot
Mumbai (PTI): An empty double-decker electric bus was gutted in a fire during servicing at a BEST depot in Mumbai's Kurla area on Sunday, officials said, adding that nobody was injured.
The blaze broke out inside the Kurla BEST bus depot near Kanakia Building at 4.14 pm, according to preliminary information from the Mumbai Fire Brigade.
The parked bus was unoccupied at the time of the incident.
Fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. The exact cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, they said.
No injuries were reported in the incident, officials added.
The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has hired 50 electric double-decker buses from Switch Mobility in its fleet of around 2,700 buses.
