A division bench of the High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice V. Eswariah adjourned a writ petition filed challenging the new Excise policy to Thursday.
The petition was filed by advocate P. Subhash, who contended that the rules under the new policy do not provide for verification of the financial capacity of the successful bidders for retail IMFL outlets.
In the absence of such verification, ‘benamis’ had entered the scene and syndicates had taken control of the trade even while the investigation into this issue is being monitored by a Bench of the Court.
Speaking through Acting Chief Justice Ghose, the Bench asked the government to respond quickly so that the case can be heard before month-end.
The new excise policy will come into effect on July 1. The case will now be listed on Thursday.
Greyhounds housing society
The Bench ordered notices in a writ petition complaining that the State government is not taking any action regarding the illegalities in the Greyhounds Mutually Aided Cooperative Housing Society.
The bench was dealing with a writ petition filed in public interest by P. Bhavani of Hyderabad. She informed the court that the authorities conducted an inquiry into the allotment of plots in the society.
It revealed that Rs.50 lakh were spent and that there are no proper accounts.
She contended that the morale of Greyhounds, an anti-terrorist force, will be affected if no remedial action is taken. The Chief Secretary (CS), who has to give permission to proceed further in the matter, is not acting on the issue for several months, she alleged.
The petitioner requested the court to direct the CS, named as respondent, to act on the matter.
The bench adjourned the matter by two weeks for the respondents to respond to the petition.
