HC stays appointment of fair price shop dealers in Uttar Pradesh village panchayats

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to reframe within four months the criteria for appointment of kin of deceased fair price shop dealers to the job on compassionate grounds.

The court also said that after the finalization of criteria, those entitled to it shall be appointed as fair price dealers.

While issuing a direction to Principal Secretary (Food and Civil Supplies) to reframe the criteria, it stayed the appointment of fair price shop dealers in village panchayats where applications for appointment on compassionate grounds are pending or where the kin of deceased fair price shop dealers are entitled to such dealerships.

Regular appointment of fair price shop dealer in such cases shall be kept in abeyance, till the criteria for appointment of fair price shop dealers on compassionate grounds is finalized, Justice Ajay Bhanot said.

Justice Bhanot, while allowing the petitions filed by Sampurnanand and several others seeking appointment as fair price shop dealer on compassionate grounds after the death of their relative, directed the state government counsel to communicate the directions to the Principal Secretary for compliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)