Jai Mata Di Women Self Help Group-Chouha Through President Smt v. State of Chhattisgarh

1 - Jai Mata Di Women Self Help Group-Chouha Through President Smt. Sandeepa Kant W/o Devendra Kant Aged About 37 Years, President Of Jai Mata Di Women Self Help- Group Chouha R/o Village Chouha, Tahsil - Sipat, Distt. Bilaspur Chhattisgarh ... Petitioner versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Department Of Food And Civil Supply Mahanadi Bhawan New Raipur Distt Raipur (C.G.). 2 - The Collector (Food Department) Bilaspur, District Bilaspur (C.G.) 3 - Sub-Divisional Officer Masturi, District Bilaspur (C.G.) 4 - Food Inspector Masturi District Bilaspur (C.G.) 5 - President Of Trishala Women Self Help Group Kohrouda/ Operator Govt. Faire Price Shop Of Village - Kohrouda R/o Village Kohrouda Tahsil - Sipat, District Bilaspur (C.G.) ... Respondents (Cause title is downloaded from CIS Periphery.) For Petitioner For State : : Mr. A.N. Pandey, Advocate. Mr. Abhyuday Tripathi, P.L. 2 Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad Order on Board 28/07/2026

#1. The petitioner has filed the instant petition seeking following reliefs:- “10.1 That, this Hon’ble court may kindly be pleased to set-aside the impugned order dated 19.06.2026 (Annexure P-1) issued by the respondent No. 3.

10.2 Any other reliefs may also be granted to the petitioner which this Hon’ble Court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.”

#2. Learned counsel for petitioner would submit that the petitioner is running a Fair Price Shop at village Dhangaon, District -Balrampur - Ramanujganj (C.G.). Based on a report submitted by the Food Inspector-Respondent No.4, wherein certain deficiencies were found; respondent No.3/SDO (Revenue) issued a show-cause notice on 30.11.2022, calling for an explanation from the petitioner as to why proceeding should not be initiated against him for cancellation of his licence and for prosecution. He contended that without granting an opportunity of hearing or allowing for a reply/explanation to be submitted by petitioner, the concerned SDO (Revenue) has passed an order dated 19.06.2026 (Annexure P/1) suspending the allotment of the Fair Price Shop of the petitioner. He further submits that under Clause 16 of Chhattisgarh Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016 (for short “Control Order, 2016), a provision of penalty is provided. Furthermore, the time limit prescribed for the conclusion of proceedings is 3 months for the redressal of such cases; hence, no action suspending the shop ought to have been taken against the petitioner by the concerned SDO (Revenue). He submits that similar nature of prayer made by petitioners therein in WPC No. 3 683/2023, came to be disposed of vide order dated 5.5.2026 directing the concerned authority to conclude the proceedings within the stipulated time and till then, the order of status quo has been passed, hence, similar direction may be issued in this petition as well.

#3. Learned counsel for the State would not oppose the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioner.

#4. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the petition.

#5. Considering the provision under Clause 16(1) of the Control Order, 2016, which prescribe a time period of 3 months for concluding proceedings, respondent No.3/SDO (Revenue) is directed to conclude the proceedings in terms of Clause 16(1) within a further period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is further directed that till the proceedings before the concerned SDO (Revenue) are concluded, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

#6. With the aforesaid observation and direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of.

#7. CC as per rules. Judge Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) U.K. Raju