Kanageswari v. The District Collector

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by M.DHANDAPANI, J.] The prayer in this writ petition is to direct the respondents to withdraw the public notice issued by the respondents demanding the devotees to obtain license under the Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India Act, 2006 and Regulations, 2011, to offer Annathanam in the Chitirai Festival 2023, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 01.05.2023.

¶2Mr.D.Ghandiraj, learned Special Government Pleader, takes notice for the respondents.

¶3With the consent of both sides, this writ petition is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

¶4According to the petitioner, she is a devotee of Lord Meenakshi and Lord Kallalagar. Every Chithirai festival, she used to offer annadhanam to the devotees. This year, when she made arrangements to offer annnadhanam at Kadachanendal opposite to TNCSC Rice Mill, she came to know that the respondents have issued a notice demanding the devotees to obtain permission to offer annadhanam. Aggrieved over the same, the petitioner sent a representation dated 01.05.2023 to the respondents seeking to withdraw the said notice. Since there was no action on the part of the respondents, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.

¶5Dr.V.Jayaramapandian, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Protection Department, Madurai District, who is present before this Court, would submit that the notice, which is sought to be withdrawn by the petitioner, is only a public awareness notice and it is not issued against any individual, who offers annadhanam in the Chithirai Festival and no strict or penal action will be initiated for this year against the violation of the said notice. Further, he would submit that they will create awareness in an effective manner among the devotees to obtain licence for offering annadhanam in the ensuing Chithirai Festivals.

¶6In view of the above submission of the Designated Officer, Food Safety and Protection Department, Madurai District and in view of the fact that the Lord Kallalagar has already crossed Kadachanendal, wherein the petitioner has made arrangements to offer annadhanam, no further orders are required to be passed in this writ petition. Hence, this writ petition is closed. However, the respondents are directed to create awareness among the devotees to obtain licence for offering annadhanam in the ensuing Chithirai Festivals. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

[M.D.I., J.] [R.V., J.]

04.05.2023 NCC : Index : Internet :

krk / abr To:

1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Designated Officer, Food Safety and Protection Department, Madurai District, Madurai. M.DHANDAPANI , J . and R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J . krk / abr and W.M.P.(MD) No.9861 of 2023

04.05.2023

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.05.2023 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR and W.M.P.(MD) No.9861 of 2023 Kanageswari ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai. 2.The Designated Officer, Food Safety and Protection Department, Madurai District, Madurai. ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to withdrew the public notice issued demanding license under Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India Act, 2006 and Regulations, 2011 from the Devotees offering Annathanam in the Chitirai Festival 2023, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 01.05.2023. For Petitioner : Mr.P.M.Vishnuvarthanan For Respondents : Mr.D.Ghandiraj Special Government Pleader