1 - Ashish Rajak S/o Shri Sant Ram Rajak Aged About 37 Years Posted v. 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department
Case Details
1 2025:CGHC:21824 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 2440 of 2025 1 - Ashish Rajak S/o Shri Sant Ram Rajak Aged About 37 Years Posted As Procurement Centre Incharge Beltukari Of The Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit Tumgaon, Reg. No. 518, Mahasamund, District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh --- Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Raipur District Raipur Chhattisgarh 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur Through Manager, Jila Sahkari Chhattisgarh Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District Raipur 3 - Branch Tumgaon Distt. Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through Branch Manager, Branch Tumgaon Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur Tumgaon District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkar Vipnan Sangh Through Managing Director Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower C Cbd, Sector 21, Atal Chhattisgarh Nagar, Raipur, District Raipur 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar, Co-Operative Chhattisgarh Societies, Mahasamund, Mahasamund, District 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Chhattisgarh Mahasamund, Mahasamund District 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh --- Respondent(s) WPC No. 2282 of 2025
Legal Reasoning
1 - Kusumlata Nishad S/o Shri Late Nehrulal Nishad Aged About 47 Years Posted As Procurement Center Incharge Birkoni Of The Gramin Sewa Sahkari, Samiti Maryadit- Birkoni, Reg. No. 1696, Mahasamund, District Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ---Petitioner(s) Digitally signed by SHAYNA KADRI Versus 2 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur Through Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Branch Tumgaon District Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through Branch Manager, Branch Tumgaon Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Tumgaon, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower C C.B.D., Sector- 21 Atal Nagar, Raipur, District Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar, Co-Operative Societies, Mahasamund, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Mahasamund, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District : Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh --- Respondent(s) WPC No. 2285 of 2025 1 - Pradeep Kumar Dhidhi S/o Shri Porvan Lal Dhidhi Aged About 37 Years Posted As Procurement Center Incharge Bhoring Of The Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit Tumgaon Reg. No. 518, Mahasamund District- Mahasamund Chhattisgarh ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary Food Civil Supplies And Consumer Portection Department Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Raipur District - Raipur Chhattisgarh 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur Through Manager Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur District- Raipur Chhattisgarh 3 - Branch Tumgaon District - Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur Through Branch Manager Branch Tumgaon Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur Tumgaon District - Mahasamund Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through Managing Director Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh 6th Floor Tower C Cbd Sector 21 Atal Nagar Raipur District - Raipur Chhattisgarh 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co- Operative And Deputy Registrar Co- Operative Societies Mahasamund District - Mahasamund Chhattisgarh 6 - District Mark Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Mahasamund District - Mahasamund Chhattisgarh 3 7 - The Collector Mahasamund District - Mahasamund Chhattisgarh --- Respondent(s) WPC No. 2369 of 2025 1 - Rakesh Kumar Devdas S/o Shri Tiharu Aged About 49 Years Posted As - Procurement Center Incharge Sirpur Of The Adimjati Seva Sahakari Samiti Maryadit - Sirpur, Reg. No.-1564,. Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through - Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur Through - Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 3 - Branch Tumgaon Distt. - Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through - Branch Manager, Branch Tumgaon Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Tumgaon, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through - Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower-C C.B.D., Sector-21, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar, Co-Operative Societies, Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh --- Respondent(s) WPC No. 2371 of 2025 1 - Chandrashekhar Vishwakarma S/o Shri Pawan Vishwakarma Aged About 42 Years Posted As- Procurement Center Incharge Achhola Of The Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit- Achhola, Reg. No. 1018, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur, Through, Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh 4 3 - Branch Tumgaon Distt- Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through, Branch Manager, Branch Tumgaon Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Tumgaon District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through- Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower C Cbd, Sector- 21 Atal Nagar, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar Co-Operative Societies, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh --- Respondent(s) WPC No. 2374 of 2025 1 - Milan Nishad S/o Shri Derharam Nishad Aged About 38 Years Posted As- Procurement Center Incharge Badgaon Of The Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit- Birkoni, Reg. No. 1696, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur, Through, Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh 3 - Branch Tumgaon Distt- Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through, Branch Manager, Branch Tumgaon Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Tumgaon District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through- Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower C Cbd, Sector- 21 Atal Nagar, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar Co-Operative Societies, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh --- Respondent(s) 5 WPC No. 2383 of 2025 1 - Ramesh Kumar Sinha S/o Shri Krishna Kumar Sinha Aged About 53 Years Posted As - Procurement Center Incharge Bemcha Of The Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit - Bemcha, Reg. No. 850, Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur Through Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 3 - Branch Mahasamund Distt - Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through Branch Manager, Branch Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Mahasamund District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through - Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower C Cbd, Sector-21 Atal Nagar, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar Co-Operative Societies Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh --- Respondent(s) WPC No. 2389 of 2025 1 - Baluram Chandrakar S/o Shri Late Ramadhar Chandrakar Aged About 52 Years Posted As - Procurement Center Incharge Belsonda Of The Gramin Seva Sahkari Samiti Maryadit- Belsonda, Reg. No. 1502, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through - Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit Raipur Through, Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Branch Mahasamund Distt.- Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through, Branch Manager, Branch Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Mahasamund District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. 6 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through - Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnana Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower C Cbd, Sector- 21 Atal Nagar, Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar Co-Operative Societies, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District- Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. --- Respondent(s) WPC No. 2408 of 2025 1 - Mohan Singh Jangde S/o Shri Late Hiraman Jangde Aged About 61 Years Posted As - Society Manager Kanpa Of The Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit - Birkoni, Reg. No. 1696, Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Protection Department, Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur Through Manager, Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 3 - Branch Tumgaon District - Mahasamund Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Through Branch Manager, Branch Tumgaon Of The Jila Sahkari Kendriya Bank Maryadit, Raipur, Tumgaon, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 4 - Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh Through Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, 6th Floor, Tower C Cbd, Sector - 21, Atal Nagar, Raipur, District - Raipur, Chhattisgarh 5 - Deputy Commissioner Co-Operative And Deputy Registrar, Co-Operative Socities Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 6 - District Mark-Fed Officer Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahkari Vipnan Sangh, Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh 7 - The Collector Mahasamund, District - Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh (Cause-title is taken from Case Information System) --- Respondent(s) For Petitioners : Mr. Sajal Kumar Gupta, Advocate For State For Bank : Mr. Praveen Das, Dy. Advocate General : Mr. Manish Upadhyay, Advocate For Mark-Fed : Mr. Vikram Sharma, Advocate 7 SB- Hon'ble Shri Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad 09/05/2025 Order on Board 1. A perusal of the pleadings and factual matrix across all the writ petitions reveals that they arise out of a common set of circumstances and involve substantially identical issues. Accordingly, in the interest of
Decision
judicial economy and to avoid conflicting decisions, all the writ petitions have been consolidated, heard conjointly, and are being disposed of by this common order. 2. Writ Petition No. 2440 of 2025 is treated as the lead matter for the purpose of adjudicating the questions of law and fact involved in the present group of petitions.. The petitioner in the said writ petitioner has prayed for following reliefs :- “10.1 That, the Hon'ble Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction or any other appropriate writ to set aside the Impugned letter no/2025/14 dated 03.04.2025 to the petitioner asking to transport the reaming amount of paddy i.e 489.15 quintal (only 1.19% of total procurement), no paddy is left in society all are transported (Annexure P/1) and; 10.2 That, the Hon'ble Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction or any other appropriate writ direction to declare that the damage, if any, caused to the paddy for the reasoned of failure of the respondent authority to lifting the same on time would not be attributable to and recovered from the petitioner and; 10.3 That, the Hon'ble Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction or any other appropriate writ direction to refrain the respondent authority for initiating any from of disciplinary/recovery proceeding or order/any other coercive action against the petitioner; 10.4 Any other relief, which this Hon'ble Court deems, fit in the facts and circumstances, may also be granted in favour of the petitioner.” 8 3. The petitioner, serving as the Procurement Centre Incharge of Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit, Tumgaon (Reg. No. 518), Mahasamund, was appointed as a sub-agent for procuring paddy from registered farmers during the Kharif season 2024–25 under a government contract. As per the agreement and official directions, the petitioner procured paddy with a moisture content of up to 17%, with the responsibility of transporting the paddy lying primarily on the Marketing Federation. Despite repeated oral and written requests from the petitioner, the Federation failed to lift the paddy within the stipulated period, leading to prolonged storage in open conditions. As a result, the paddy naturally dried, reducing moisture content to 12–13% and causing a loss in weight. The petitioner consistently informed authorities about excess buffer stock and logistical challenges, including the non-availability of vehicles and lack of advance funds. However, the respondents later issued a letter dated 03.04.2025, holding the petitioner liable for a shortfall of 489.15 quintals (1.19% of the total procurement) and directing further transportation, despite the petitioner having already transported all paddy. The petitioner submitted a detailed reply on 25.04.2025, refuting the allegations and citing violations of contract clauses requiring inquiry before recovery, adjustment from commission, and arbitration by the Collector. Similar disputes had previously been adjudicated by the Hon’ble Court in favour of petitioners under comparable circumstances 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is functioning as the Procurement Centre Incharge of the Gramin Sewa Sahkari Samiti Maryadit, Tumgaon, duly registered and operating 9 under valid authorization. The petitioner was granted the status of sub- agent for the Kharif marketing year 2024–25 under a tripartite agreement for procurement of paddy from registered farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP), in accordance with the policy framed by the State Government. As per Clause 2 of the said contract, the primary obligation to lift the procured paddy within the stipulated time- frame lies with the respondent – Marketing Federation. Despite this, the Federation failed to lift the procured paddy within the prescribed period, i.e., till February 2025. The delay in lifting paddy led to a significant loss of moisture content in the paddy, dropping from the permitted 17% to 12-13%, causing natural loss in weight. The petitioner contends that despite fulfilling all obligations, including storing the paddy properly and promptly informing the concerned officers of the accumulation of paddy beyond buffer limits, the impugned letter dated 03.04.2025 was issued, holding the petitioner liable for a shortfall of 489.15 quintals which is merely 1.19% of the total procurement, and demanding transportation thereof, although no paddy remained untransported at that time. It is further submitted that the petitioner was never issued any show cause notice, nor was any proper inquiry conducted before issuance of the impugned recovery demand. Clause 5.6 of the contract mandates that any recovery due to shortage be made first from commission or related entitlements, and only thereafter, recovery under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1960. Clause 13 of the contract provides for resolution of disputes through arbitration by the District Collector, and if necessary, by appeal before the Divisional Commissioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner further points out that in the past fiscal years (2020-21 to 2023-24), similar losses on account 10 of natural moisture reduction due to delayed lifting were acknowledged by the respondent authorities through circulars dated 14.03.2022 and 12.11.2024. These recognized the possibility of loss and proposed reimbursement. The present action, therefore, is discriminatory and contrary to consistent administrative practice. 5. Learned counsel for the respective respondents jointly submits while opposing the petition, does not dispute that Clause 5.6 and Clause 13 of the agreement provide specific mechanisms for recovery and arbitration. They submits that the impugned letter was issued on the basis of loss to the State exchequer due to reduced weight in the lifted paddy. Under the current procurement policy, it has been categorically stated that no benefit on account of driage or any other form of adjustment shall be extended either to the society or to the individuals appointed at the procurement centres. The policy presently in force does not contemplate or provide for any deduction or relaxation in accountability on the basis of loss in quantity of paddy due to natural drying or similar reasons. The grounds raised by the petitioner attributing weight loss to delayed lifting and natural moisture loss are thus treated as an afterthought and are not acceptable for consideration. While the agreement includes an arbitration clause, it is for the petitioner to independently invoke that remedy if they wish to contest the matter. Furthermore, any adjustment or recovery as contemplated under Clauses 5 and 6 of the agreement can also be pursued by initiating a dispute under Sections 62 or 64 of the Chhattisgarh Co-operative Societies Act, 1960. 11 6. I have perused the tripartite agreement, the relevant correspondence, including the impugned letter dated 03.04.2025 and reply thereto. 7. The core grievance of the petitioner is that he is being held personally liable for weight loss due to natural moisture evaporation in the paddy which was not lifted in time by the Marketing Federation, despite repeated efforts by the petitioner and communications. The Court finds that no prior inquiry was conducted to assess the actual shortfall attributable to the petitioner, if any. The terms of the contract, particularly Clause 5.6 and Clause 13, clearly lay down the procedure for recovery and dispute resolution. Clause 5.6 of the Agreement reads as under :- “5.6- foi.ku la?k }kjk iznk; dh xbZ jkf'k ls miktZu dsUnz ¼lfefr½ }kjk /kku foi.ku la?k dks de izkIr gksus ij 'ks"k jkf'k dh olwyh lfefr dks iznk; deh'ku ,oa vU; vuqlkafxd enksa ls jkf'k dh dVkSrh dh tkosxh A blds mijkar Hkh olwyh ;ksX; jkf'k 'ks"k jgus ij ftyk foi.ku vf/kdkjh }kjk N- x- jkT; lgdkjh lkslk;Vh vf/kfu;e 1960 ds varxZr olwyh dk;Zokgh gsrq l{ke U;k;ky; esa izdj.k ntZ fd;k tkosxk A” 8. Clause 13 of the Agreement provides for arbitration of the dispute between the parties, reads as under :- “13- vkfCkZVªs'ku %& bl vuqca/k dh fdlh Hkh df.Mdk ls lacaf/kr fookn mRiUu gksus dh fLFkfr esa fookn ds fu.kZ; gsrq ftys esa ftyk dysDVj dk fu.kZ; vfUre gksxk tks mHk;i{kksa dks ekU; gksxk A dysDVj }kjk fn;s x;s fu.kZ; dh vihy mHk;i{kksa }kjk ftys ds laHkkxh; vk;qDr dks dh tk ldsxh A”... 9. Considering the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner, the relevant clauses of the agreement, and past practices followed by the 12 State Government as reflected in its communications, this Court is of the opinion that coercive recovery action without first determining the liability through appropriate inquiry and invoking the agreed dispute resolution mechanism, is arbitrary and not sustainable. 10. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with the direction to the petitioner to submit a detailed representation before the District Collector in terms of Clause 13 of the agreement within three weeks from today. The concerned District Collector shall consider the representation of the petitioner, afford a reasonable opportunity of hearing, and pass a speaking order in accordance with law within eight weeks from the date of receipt of representation. Till such decision is taken by the concerned Collector, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner pursuant to the impugned letter dated 03.04.2025. It shall also be open to the Collector to consider the applicability of the Government's own circulars and policy letters recognizing natural moisture loss in previous years for reimbursement. 11. The petitioner is directed to cooperate in any inquiry conducted by the respondent authorities regarding the alleged shortage or loss. 12. With the above directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. Shayna Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) JUDGE