E-Paper
HC notice to Punjab, Cheema over suspension of depot holder’s licence
Petitioner Lal Singh had unsuccessfully contested the 2022 assembly election against Cheema from Dirba
Chandigarh: The high court has put the Punjab government and its finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on notice on a plea from a depot holder in Sangrur whose essential commodities licence was suspended in October.
Petitioner Lal Singh had unsuccessfully contested the 2022 assembly election against Cheema from Dirba in Sangrur. The response has been sought by Thursday, also asking the state why suspension notice should not be stayed.
According to the plea, Singh’s licence for the sale of essential commodities under the public distribution system was suspended on August 16 without issuing a show-cause notice. Subsequently, a show-cause notice was issued on August 26 detailing about allegations against him. However, as principal of natural justice was not followed, district controller, food and civil supplies and consumer affairs, Sangrur, on October 6 took back the order and restored the licence. But on October 27, the order of suspension was passed on same set of allegations, the plea said.
The petitioner had a valid license till March 31, 2025, under the public distribution system rules. The controversy has arisen due to the political rivalry between the petitioner and Cheema, which has resulted in passing of the October 27 order, the plea alleges, claiming that Cheema used his “political influence and colluded” with local authorities and orders of suspension of licence were passed. The show-cause notice, which was mandated as per rules before taking any step for the cancellation or suspension, was also not taken while passing the October 27 order as well, the plea alleges.
