Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association and Anr v. The Union of India and 7 Ors

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For the petitioners : Mr. K.N. Choudhury, Senior Advocate Assisted by Mr. D.J. Das, Advocate

For respondents : Mr. S.S. Roy, C.C.G. Mr. N.J. Gogoi, Standing Counsel, Tea Board Mr. N. Das, Govt. Advocate, Assam

– B E F O R E – HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUSMITA PHUKAN KHAUND 07-08-2023 S. Mehta, C.J.

The instant writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the petitioners herein seeking the following relief:-

"i. To forthwith cancel/recall/rescind and or otherwise forbear from giving effect into the impugned notification dated 6.8.2013 introducing price sharing formula in the form of minimum bench mark price.

ii. Direct the respondent to forthwith cancel/recall/ rescind the and or otherwise forbear from giving effect into the impugned notification dated

1.10.2015 on Petitioner's Association.

iii. Set aside and quash Office Memorandum Nos. 1(358)/GAU/04/1674 dated 26.8.2011 and No.12(23)/ LC/P-VIII/3877 dated 16.02.2009.

iv. Set aside and quashed the unilateral and unscientific study report submitted by ICWAI.

Page No.# 4/5 And upon cause or causes that may be shown and after hearing the parties as well as perusal of the records, Your Lordship may be pleased to make the Rule absolute and/or pass such other further Order/Orders as to Your Lordships may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice.

-AND-

Pending disposal of the Rule, Your Lordships may be pleased to stay the impugned Price Sharing Formula and the Gazettee Notification dated 1.10.2015 and its implementation and/or pass such other further Order/ Orders as to Your Lordships may deem fit and proper for the ends of justice."

While addressing the Court, learned senior counsel, Mr. K.N. Choudhury contended that before approaching the Court, the petitioners had submitted a detailed representation to the Chairman and the Executive Officer of Tea Board of India for ventilating their grievances but such representation through which they have highlighted their valid grievances and issues, has not been answered. Mr. N.J. Gogoi, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Tea Board, submits that the petitioners may be relegated to file a fresh representation to the Tea Board and upon receiving such representation, the competent authority of the Tea Board shall objectively consider and decide the same within a reasonable time. In view of the submissions noted above, it is hereby directed that the petitioners may file a fresh detailed representation for ventilating their grievances to the Chairman of the Tea Board with a copy of this order within 30 (thirty) days from today. Upon receiving such representation, the Chairman of the Tea Board shall objectively consider and decide the same by a speaking order within a period of 3 (three) months from the date of receipt of thereof. Needless to say that in case any adverse order is passed, the petitioners shall be at liberty to challenge the same as per law before the appropriate Page No.# 5/5 forum. With the above observations and directions, this writ petition is disposed of.

JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE

Comparing Assistant