Punjab-Haryana High Court
The Punjab State Cooperative Supplies ... vs M/S Jagdambe Rice Mill And Others on 4 November, 2025
Bench: Harsimran Singh Sethi, Vikas Suri
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
106+221
1. LPA-1957-2023 (O&M)
Date of Decision: 04.11.2025
THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLIES AND
MARKETING FEDERATION LTD
....Appellants
Versus
M/S JAGDAMBE RICE MILL AND OTHERS
....Respondents
2. LPA-2240-2025 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE CIVIL SUPPLIES CORPORATION LIMITED
PUNSUP
....Appellant
Versus
M/S SHANKAR AGRO RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
3. LPA-119-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE CO-OPERATIVE SUPPLY AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LIMITED
....Appellant
Versus
M/S LAKSHMI FOOD PRODUCTS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
4. LPA-1948-2023 (O&M)
5. LPA-1949-2023 (O&M)
6. LPA-1950-2023 (O&M)
7. LPA-1954-2023 (O&M)
8. LPA-1955-2023 (O&M)
9. LPA-1961-2023 (O&M)
10. LPA-1962-2023 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLIES AND
MARKETING FEDERATION LTD ....Appellant
Versus
M/S VISHNU RICE MILL AND OTHERS
....Respondents
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and other connected cases
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11. LPA-2100-2023 (O&M)
12 LPA-2108-2023 (O&M)
13. LPA-2110-2023 (O&M)
14. LPA-2111-2023 (O&M)
15. LPA-2118-2023 (O&M)
16. LPA-2119-2023 (O&M)
17. LPA-2123-2023 (O&M)
18. LPA-2155-2023 (O&M)
19. LPA-2162-2023 (O&M)
20. LPA-2170-2023 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLY AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LIMITED (MARKFED)
....Appellant
Versus
M/S MAHAVIR RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
21. LPA-29-2024 (O&M)
22. LPA-30-2024 (O&M)
23. LPA-32-2024 (O&M)
24. LPA-33-2024 (O&M)
25. LPA-35-2024 (O&M)
26. LPA-37-2024 (O&M)
27. LPA-40-2024 (O&M)
28. LPA-44-2024 (O&M)
29. LPA-45-2024 (O&M)
30. LPA-46-2024 (O&M)
31. LPA-53-2024 (O&M)
32. LPA-54-2024 (O&M)
33. LPA-58-2024 (O&M)
34. LPA-60-2024 (O&M)
35. LPA-62-2024 (O&M)
36. LPA-64-2024 (O&M)
37. LPA-65-2024 (O&M)
38. LPA-71-2024 (O&M)
39. LPA-76-2024 (O&M)
40. LPA-77-2024 (O&M)
41. LPA-78-2024 (O&M)
42. LPA-79-2024 (O&M)
43. LPA-81-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE CO-OPERATIVE SUPPLY AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LIMITED (MARKFED)
....Appellant
Versus
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LPA-1957-2023 (O&M)
and other connected cases
-: 3 :-
M/S RADHA RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
44. LPA-1716-2024 (O&M)
45. LPA-1745-2024 (O&M)
46. LPA-1749-2024 (O&M)
47. LPA-1752-2024 (O&M)
48. LPA-1759-2024 (O&M)
49. LPA-1773-2024 (O&M)
50. LPA-1778-2024 (O&M)
51. LPA-1794-2024 (O&M)
52. LPA-1795-2024 (O&M)
53. LPA-1796-2024 (O&M)
54. LPA-1699-2024 (O&M)
55. LPA-1692-2024 (O&M)
56. LPA-1696-2024 (O&M)
57. LPA-1697-2024 (O&M)
58. LPA-1698-2024 (O&M)
59. LPA-1744-2024 (O&M)
60. LPA-1748-2024 (O&M)
61. LPA-1751-2024 (O&M)
62. LPA-1753-2024 (O&M)
63. LPA-1755-2024 (O&M)
64. LPA-1757-2024 (O&M)
65. LPA-1765-2024 (O&M)
66. LPA-1784-2024 (O&M)
67. LPA-1786-2024 (O&M)
68. LPA-1797-2024 (O&M)
69. LPA-1828-2024 (O&M)
70. LPA-1896-2024 (O&M)
71. LPA-1915-2024 (O&M)
72. LPA-1937-2024 (O&M)
73 LPA-1938-2024 (O&M)
74. LPA-1940-2024 (O&M)
75. LPA-1947-2024 (O&M)
76. LPA-1948-2024 (O&M)
77. LPA-1950-2024 (O&M)
78. LPA-1952-2024 (O&M)
79. LPA-1955-2024 (O&M)
80. LPA-1956-2024 (O&M)
81. LPA-2054-2024 (O&M)
82. LPA-2056-2024 (O&M)
83. LPA-2059-2024 (O&M)
84. LPA-2061-2024 (O&M)
85. LPA-2063-2024 (O&M)
86. LPA-2065-2024 (O&M)
87. LPA-2067-2024 (O&M)
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and other connected cases
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88. LPA-2068-2024 (O&M)
89. LPA-2069-2024 (O&M)
90. LPA-2087-2024 (O&M)
91. LPA-2104-2024 (O&M)
92. LPA-2105-2024 (O&M)
93. LPA-2107-2024 (O&M)
94. LPA-2159-2024 (O&M)
95. LPA-2196-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE CIVIL SUPPLIES CORPORATION LIMITED
(PUNSUP)
....Appellant
Versus
M/S MAHAVIR RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
96. LPA-2084-2024 (O&M)
PUNJAB AGRO FOODGRAINS CORPORATION LIMITED AND
ANOTHER
....Appellants
Versus
M/S GOBIND RICE AND GENERAL MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
97. COCP-1971-2025 (O&M)
M/S JAI HANUMAN RICE AND GENERAL MILLS AND OTHERS
....Appellants
Versus
RAHUL TIWARI AND OTHERS
....Respondents
98. LPA-2020-2025 (O&M)
PUNJAB STATE CIVIL SUPPLIES CORPORATION LIMITED
(PUNSUP)
....Appellant
Versus
DEEPAK AWLA AND OTHERS
....Respondents
99. LPA-986-2024 (O&M)
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and other connected cases
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PUNJAB AGRO FOODGRAINS CORPORATION LIMITED (PAFC)
....Appellant
Versus
M/S JAGDAMBE RICE MILL AND OTHERS
....Respondents
100. LPA-830-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE MARKETING FEDERATION
LTD.
....Appellant
Versus
M/S BHAGWATI RICE AND GENERAL MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
101. LPA-692-2024 (O&M)
102. LPA-691-2024 (O&M)
103. LPA-689-2024 (O&M)
104. LPA-686-2024 (O&M)
105. LPA-685-2024 (O&M)
106. LPA-677-2024 (O&M)
107. LPA-676-2024 (O&M)
108. LPA-675-2024 (O&M)
109. LPA-544-2024 (O&M)
PUNJAB STATE WAREHOUSING CORPORATION
....Appellant
Versus
M/S GURU NANAK RICE AND GENERAL MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
110. LPA-1288-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE CO-OP SUPPLIES AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LTD
....Appellant
Versus
M/S SHANKAR AGRO RICE MILLS AND OTHERS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
111. LPA-1135-2024 (O&M)
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and other connected cases
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THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLY AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LTD
....Appellant
Versus
M/S BHAGWATI RICE MILLS AND OTHERS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
112. LPA-1129-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE WAREHOUSING CORPORATION LTD.
....Appellant
Versus
DEEPAK AWLA AND OTHERS
....Respondents
113. LPA-1131-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLY AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LTD
....Appellant
Versus
M/S SATGURU RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
114. LPA-1048-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLY AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LTD
....Appellant
Versus
DEEPAK AWLA AND OTHERS
....Respondents
115. LPA-1002-2024 (O&M)
116. LPA-985-2024 (O&M)
117. LPA-152-2024 (O&M)
118. LPA-134-2024 (O&M)
119. LPA-132-2024 (O&M)
120. LPA-127-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE WAREHOUSING CORPORATION LIMITED
(PSWC)
....Appellant
Versus
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and other connected cases
-: 7 :-
NIRBHAI SINGH AND OTHERS
....Respondents
121. LPA-369-2024 (O&M)
122. LPA-289-2024 (O&M)
123. LPA-294-2024 (O&M)
124. LPA-386-2024 (O&M)
125. LPA-390-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLIES AND
MARKETING FEDERATION LTD.
....Appellant
Versus
M/S MAHAVIR FOODS (LESSEE MILL) AND OTHERS
....Respondents
126. LPA-389-2024 (O&M)
127. LPA-411-2024 (O&M)
128. LPA-413-2024 (O&M)
129. LPA-405-2024 (O&M)
130. LPA-402-2024 (O&M)
131. LPA-401-2024 (O&M)
132. LPA-403-2024 (O&M)
133. LPA-408-2024 (O&M)
134. LPA-409-2024 (O&M)
135. LPA-407-2024 (O&M)
136. LPA-399-2024 (O&M)
137. LPA-395-2024 (O&M)
138. LPA-393-2024 (O&M)
139. LPA-394-2024 (O&M)
140. LPA-392-2024 (O&M)
141. LPA-414-2024 (O&M)
142. LPA-507-2024 (O&M)
143. LPA-415-2024 (O&M)
144. LPA-397-2024 (O&M)
145. LPA-412-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE WAREHOUSING CORPORATION
....Appellant
Versus
M/S GURU TEG BAHADUR RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
146. LPA-291-2024 (O&M)
147. LPA-270-2024 (O&M)
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and other connected cases
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THE PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLIES AND
MARKETING FEDERATION LTD.
....Appellant
Versus
M/S VAHEGURU RICE AND GENERAL MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
148. LPA-287-2024 (O&M)
149. LPA-265-2024 (O&M)
150. LPA-384-2024 (O&M)
151. LPA-338-2024 (O&M)
152. LPA-371-2024 (O&M)
153. LPA-347-2024 (O&M)
154. LPA-336-2024 (O&M)
155. LPA-362-2024 (O&M)
156. LPA-283-2024 (O&M)
157. LPA-296-2024 (O&M)
158. LPA-348-2024 (O&M)
159. LPA-351-2024 (O&M)
160. LPA-353-2024 (O&M)
161. LPA-339-2024 (O&M)
162. LPA-358-2024 (O&M)
163. LPA-331-2024 (O&M)
164. LPA-385-2024 (O&M)
165. LPA-382-2024 (O&M)
166. LPA-293-2024 (O&M)
167. LPA-333-2024 (O&M)
168. LPA-273-2024 (O&M)
169. LPA-364-2024 (O&M)
170. LPA-269-2024 (O&M)
171. LPA-252-2024 (O&M)
172. LPA-249-2024 (O&M)
173. LPA-173-2024 (O&M)
174. LPA-298-2024 (O&M)
175. LPA-319-2024 (O&M)
176. LPA-303-2024 (O&M)
177. LPA-368-2024 (O&M)
178. LPA-363-2024 (O&M)
179. LPA-133-2024 (O&M)
PUNJAB STATE WAREHOUSING CORPORATION
....Appellant
Versus
M/S JORAWAR RICE AND MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
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and other connected cases
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180. LPA-783-2024 (O&M)
181. LPA-778-2024 (O&M)
182. LPA-774-2024 (O&M)
183. LPA-773-2024 (O&M)
184. LPA-770-2024 (O&M)
185. LPA-728-2024 (O&M)
186. LPA-209-2024 (O&M)
187. LPA-672-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE CO. SUPPLIES AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LTD.
....Appellant
Versus
M/S SHRI KRISHNA RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
188. LPA-295-2024 (O&M)
STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS
....Appellants
Versus
M/S JAGDAMBE RICE MILL AND OTHERS
....Respondents
189. LPA-186-2024 (O&M)
190. LPA-189-2024 (O&M)
191. LPA-185-2024 (O&M)
192. LPA-178-2024 (O&M)
193. LPA-190-2024 (O&M)
194. LPA-191-2024 (O&M)
195. LPA-181-2024 (O&M)
196. LPA-182-2024 (O&M)
197. LPA-192-2024 (O&M)
198. LPA-193-2024 (O&M)
199. LPA-194-2024 (O&M)
200. LPA-179-2024 (O&M)
201. LPA-180-2024 (O&M)
202. LPA-82-2024 (O&M)
203. LPA-1957-2023 (O&M)
PUNJAB STATE COOPERATIVE SUPPLIES AND MARKETING
FEDERATION LTD
....Appellant
Versus
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LPA-1957-2023 (O&M)
and other connected cases
-: 10 :-
M/S JAI BHOLE SHANKER RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
204. LPA-1630-2024 (O&M)
205. LPA-1706-2024 (O&M)
206. LPA-1715-2024 (O&M)
207. LPA-1719-2024 (O&M)
THE PUNJAB STATE CIVIL SUPPLIES CORPORATION LIMITED
PUNSUP
....Appellant
Versus
M/S SHIV SHAKTI RICE MILLS AND OTHERS
....Respondents
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKAS SURI
----
Present: Mr. Manbir Singh Batth, Advocate,
for the appellant in LPAs No.985, 1002, 1129-2024.
Mr. Vikas Singh, Advocate and
Ms. Anamika Sheoran, Advocate
for the appellant(s) in LPA-1080-2024.
Mr. Animesh Sharma, Advocate,
for the appellant(s) in LPAs No.270,291,294, 386, 390, 403,
289, 369, 830 of 2024.
Mr. Amaninder Preet, Advocate (through V.C)
for the appellant(s) in LPAs No.1048, 209, 186, 189, 185, 178,
190, 191, 181, 182, 192, 193, 194, 179 and 180 of 2024 and
for the respondent-Markfed in LPA-2020 and 1971 of 2025.
Mr. Vinod Polist, Advocate,
for the appellants in LPA-672, 728, 773, 774, 778, 783, 1288,
1948, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1961, 1962 and 4893-2023.
Mr. Jabarjeet Singh, Advocate
for the appellant(s) in LPA-2123-2023.
Mr. Bisman Mann, Advocate
for the appellants in LPAs No.1131 and 1135 of 2024.
Mr. Ashish Verma, Advocate,
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and other connected cases
-: 11 :-
for the appellant in LPA-1692-2024.
Mr. Somesh Gupta, Advocate,
for the appellants in LPAs No.986 and 2084 of 2024.
Mr. Daman Dhir, Advocate and
Ms. Raman Dhir, Advocate,
for respondent No.2 in LPA-2119-2023
for respondent No.4 in LPA-193-2024
for respondent Nos.29, 34, 35, 66, 67, 71, 72 in LPA-778-2024
for respondents No.34, 35, 45, 48, 66, 67, 71, 72, in LPA-409-2024
for respondents No.15, 34, 47 to 51, 54 to 56, 58, 60, 61, 63
and 64 in LPA-46-2024
for respondent No.2 to 4, 7 to 15, 18 to 20, 22, 23, 25 to 27, 28,
33, 35 and 56 in LPA-64-2024
for respondents No.4 and 13 in LPA-363-2024
for respondent No.2 in LPA-1957-2023
for respondents No.2 to 4 in LPA-134-2024
for respondent No.2 in LPA-295-2024
for respondents No.33, 34, 50 and 51 in LPA-53-2024
for respondent No.14 in LPA-2054-2024
for respondents No.35 to 38 in LPA-78-2024
for respondents No.48 to 52 and 67 in LPA-393-2024
for respondent No.12 in LPA-40-2024
for respondents No.15 to 24 in LPA-1692-2024
for respondent No.24 in LPA-411-2024
for respondents No.1 to 21, 24, 26 to 30, 33 to 37 in LPA-1748-2024
for respondents No.3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 19, 24 to 26, 28, 31 to 39
in LPA-62-2024
for respondent No.10 in LPA-2108-2024
for respondents No.47, 49, 50 and 51 in LPA-407-2024
for respondents No.11, 27, 29 and 48 in LPA-382-2024
for respondents No.46, 48, 71, 72 in LPA-2107-2024
for respondent No.9, 10 in LPA-32-2024
for respondent No.5 in LPA-298-2024
for respondents No.12 to 14 and 20 in LPA-1135-2024
for respondents No.27, 28, 32, 33, 35 to 39 in LPA-395-2024
for respondents No.34 to 36 in LPA-1940-2024
for respondent No.17 in LPA-1955-2023
for respondents No.53 and 54 in LPA-2059-2024
for respondents No.7 to 10 in LPA-1794-2024
for respondents No.8 and 9 in LPA-351-2024
for respondent No.3 in LPA-291-2024
for respondent No.3 in LPA-339-2024
for respondents No.5 to 7, 10, 13, 17, 22 in LPA-58-2024
for respondents No.8, 16, 20, 29, 30 to 34, 37 to 39, 43, 53,
65, 66, 71, 72, 82 in LPA-122-2024
for respondents No.29, 30, 65, 66 and 71 in LPA-1757-2024
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and other connected cases
-: 12 :-
for respondents No.27, 40, 41, 43, 44 in LPA-1948-2024
for respondent No.2 in LPA-194-2024
for respondents No.22 to 26 in LPA-2104-2024
for respondents No.19, 21 in LPA-127-2024
for respondents No.21, 41 in LPA-1947-2024
for respondent No.9, 41 in LPA-402-2024
for respondents No.1, 3, 5 to 7, 9 to 24 in LPA-1630-2024
for respondents No.11 to 14 in LPA-71-2024
for respondents No.1, 22 to 24, 26, 27 to 34, 37, 38 in LPA-179-2024
for respondents No.1 to 5, 7 to 9, 12 to 17 in LPA-874-2024
for respondents No.1, 2, 6, 9 to 11 in LPA-408-2024
for respondent No.6 in LPA-81-2024 and LPA-296-2025
for respondents No.3 and 4 in LPA-830-2024
for respondent No.4 in LPA-152-2024
Ms. Pushpanjali Bisht, Advocate for
Mr. T.S. Sidhu, Advocate,
for respondent-PUNSUP in all LPAs filed by Markfed & PSWC.
for respondent-PSWC in all LPAs filed by Markfed.
Mr. Karan Singla, Advocate
for respondent No.2 in LPA-402 & 1947-2024
for respondent No.13 in LPA-685 & 1896-2024
for respondent No.3 in LPA-1786-2024
for respondent No.23 in LPA-1956-2024.
Mr. Rajinder Singla, Advocate
for respondents No.1 to 3 in LPA-1642 & 2043-2023
for respondents No.22 and 23 in LPA-395, 403 & 1940-2024
for respondent No.42 in LPA-402-2024
for respondent No.2 in LPA-560 & 1016-2024
for respondents No.56 and 57 in LPA-564 & 1015-2024
for respondents No.4 and 5 in LPA-569 & 1020-2024
for respondent No.8 in LPA-672, 691 & 1992-2024.
Mr. Shiv Kumar, Advocate and
Mr. Lovedev Singh, Advocate
for respondents No.1 to 19, 21 to 184 in LPA-76-2024
for respondent No.7 in LPA-1692-2024
for respondents No.5 to 7 in LPA-186-2024
for respondent No.1 in LPA-676-2024
for respondents No.1 to 16 in LPA-20-2024 and
for respondents No.1 to 5, 9, 10, 12, 14 to 19, 21 to 38, 41,
43 to 51, 64 to 67, 69 to 89, 92 to 104, 108 to 111, 113 to 119,
123 to 126, 129 to 142, 144 to 146, 148, 149, 152 to 154,
157 to 161, 163 to 167, 170 to 172, 174, 176, 178,
182 to 184 in LPA-76-2024.
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and other connected cases
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Mr. Mayur Karkra, Advocate
for respondents No.1 to 3, 5 to 8, 11 to 14 in LPA-2056-2023
for respondent No.11 in LPA-2040-2023
for respondents No.14 to 16 in LPA-1896-2024 and
for respondents No.8, 11 to 16 in LPA-2106-2024.
Mr. L.S.Sidhu, Advocate
for respondent No.173 in LPA-405-2024.
Mr. Robin Singh Bhullar, Advocate
for respondent No.2 in LPA-778-2024.
Mr. Mohit Garg, Advocate and
Mr. Mohit Saini, Advocate
for respondents No.14 to 16 in LPA-1131-2024
for respondents No.11, 27 to 29, 32 & 33 in LPA-847-2024
for respondents No.5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24 to 38
40 to 45, 49, 50, 52 and 55 in LPA-413-2024
for respondents No.3, 4, 7, 21 to 29, 34, 36 to 41, 47, 49, 50 to
52 and 55 in LPA-390-2024 and
for respondents No.13 and 14 in LPA-1742-2024.
Mr. Manan Khetrapal, Advocate
for respondent No.1 in LPA-676-2024.
Mr. Aditya Dassaur, Advocate and
Mr. C.L.Verma, Advocate
for respondent No.9 in LPA-686-2024.
Mr. Ankush Rampal, Advocate
for respondent No.4 in LPA-677-2024.
Mr. Harsh Goyal, Advocate
for respondent No.1 in LPA-2067 and 2087 of 2024.
Mr. Amandeep Singh, Advocate
for respondent No.11 in LPA-2020-2025.
Mr. Jashandeep Singh Sidhu, Advocate
for respondent No.2 in LPA-778-2024.
Ms. Varsha Sharma, Advocate
for respondent No.1 in LPA-544-2024.
Mr. Aayush Arora, Advocate
for respondent No.1 in LPAs No.181 and 348 of 2024.
Ms. Ridhi Bansal, Advocate for
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LPA-1957-2023 (O&M)
and other connected cases
-: 14 :-
Mr. Sunish Bindlish, Standing counsel
for respondents - FCI and UOI (in LPA-1129-2024).
Mr. Daljinder Singh Sandhu, Advocate
for respondent No.173.
Ms. Nimisha, Advocate
for respondent No.1 in in LPA-2067 and 2087-2024.
Mr. Chahit Bansal, Advocate
for respondent No.46 in LPA-1757-2024.
Mr. Akhil Kashyap, Advocate,
for respondent No.177 in LPA-76-2024.
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Harsimran Singh Sethi, J. (Oral)
CM-4168-LPA-2024 in LPA-1765-2024 CM-5019-LPA-2025 in COCP-1971-2025 CM-3843-LPA-2024 in LPA-1630-2024 These are the applications under Section 5 of the Limitation Act for condonation of respective days delay in filing the appeal(s)/petition(s).
Keeping in view the facts mentioned in the application(s), the same are allowed and the respective days delay in filing the appeal(s)/petition(s) is condoned.
LPA-1957-2023 (O&M) and connected appeals
1. In the present bunch of appeals, the challenge is to the impugned order dated 17.08.2023 passed in CWP-20840-2021 and connected cases by the learned Single Judge by which, for the 'Custom Milling Policy' for the year 2014 and 2015, the driage @ 1% of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) which come to Rs.14/- per quintal has been allowed in favour of respondent- Mills, who have milled the paddy entrusted to them for the season concerned so as to convert the same into rice.
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2. The dispute which arose was that by way of an agreement entered into between the appellant and the respondent-Mills, the appellants entrusted the paddy procured by them with the assistance of procuring agency to the millers to mill the same and the rice so generated from the said paddy was given to the Food Corporation of India/Government of India. As per the terms of the agreement entered into between the appellants and the millers, driage @1% of the MSP which came to to Rs.14/- per quintal was to be given to the milling companies keeping in view the paddy milled, rice generated and weight of moisture taken into account while weighing the paddy.
3. After a period of six years, the Union of India only reimbursed the appellants qua the driage extended to the miller @ Rs.9.22/- per quintal instead of provisional rate, which was fixed @Rs.14/-, which amount was equivalent to 1% of the MSP. The deficiency in the amount paid by the appellants to the respondent-Milling Companies and the amount received by the appellants at the hands of Union of India, was sought to be recovered from the millers on the ground that the Union of India has not reimbursed the appellants @Rs.14/- per quintal hence, the said excess payment made to the millers needs to be recovered and miller will only be entitled to Rs.9.22/- per quintal.
4. The said recovery which was sought to be done from respondent- Milling Companies was challenged before the learned Single Judge and keeping in view the fact brought before the learned Single Judge, a finding has been recorded by the learned Single Judge that in fact the millers were entitled for the driage @1% of the MSP, i.e. Rs.14/- per quintal and the payment of the 15 of 18 ::: Downloaded on - 22-11-2025 03:30:14 ::: LPA-1957-2023 (O&M) and other connected cases -: 16 :- same by the appellant is valid and no recovery can be done from the miller.
5. The learned counsel for the appellant(s) argues that the appellants are only acting as a go between the Food Corporation of India/Government of India and the respondent-Millers, whose work is to mill the paddy and the loss in this whole scenario is infact caused to the procurement agency, i.e. the appellants herein but, while ignoring the said aspect no direction has been given to the Government of India/Food Corporation of India, that appellants will have to reimburse the difference in amount to the appellants in pursuance to the order passed by the learned Single Judge, so as to be given @Rs.14/- per quintal as driage.
6. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents- millers submits that they have no objection in case the order dated 17.08.2023 passed by the learned Single Judge is clarified to the effect that the reimbursement of the differential amount to the appellants will be done by the Food Corporation of India/Government of India @ Rs.14/- per quintal for the relevant year which is 1% of the MSP qua the driage, which amount has already been paid by the appellants to the respondent-Millers.
7. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the record with their able assistance.
8. It may be noticed that the impugned order dated 17.08.2023 passed by the learned Single Judge was passed after hearing the appellants as well as the Food Corporation of India and the Government of India and their due objections were noted while recording the finding that the millers were entitled for the driage @1% of the MSP, i.e. Rs.14/- per quintal for the 16 of 18 ::: Downloaded on - 22-11-2025 03:30:14 ::: LPA-1957-2023 (O&M) and other connected cases -: 17 :- relevant milling year of 2014 and 2015. The Food Corporation of India/Government of India has not assailed the said order, which shows that the Government of India as well as the Food Corporation of India are satisfied with the said order.
9. The grievance which is being raised by the appellants is that the recovery rights/reimbursement of the remaining amount to the appellants by the Government of India has not been ordered though, the appellants have already paid the miller @Rs.14/- per quintal which amount is assessed @1% of the MSP qua the driage as has already been held by the learned Single Judge qua the entitlement of the same by the miller. That being so, the Food Corporation of India/Government of India is liable to reimburse the appellants the remaining amount once, the finding recorded by the learned Single Judge that the millers are entitled for driage @1% of MSP, i.e. Rs.14/- per quintal, has been accepted by the Government of India as no appeal has been preferred by the Food Corporation of India or the Government of India against the said order.
10. Further, it is a conceded fact that out of Rs.14/- per quintal as a driage paid @1% of the MSP by the appellants to the miller, the same has already been reimbursed to the tune of Rs.9.22/- per quintal.
11. Once, the reimbursement for amount paid by the appellants to the respondent-Millers has to be done by the Food Corporation of India/Government of India, and vide impugned order passed by the learned Single Judge, hold the millers have been held to be entitled for driage @Rs.14/- per quintal, the appellants will be within their right to receive the 17 of 18 ::: Downloaded on - 22-11-2025 03:30:14 ::: LPA-1957-2023 (O&M) and other connected cases -: 18 :- complete reimbursement amount from the Food Corporation of India/Government of India @Rs14/- per quintal by initiating appropriate proceedings to get reimbursement of the differential amount.
12. Learned counsel for the appellant(s) submits that keeping in view the said modification by this Court of the impugned order dated 17.08.2023 passed by the learned Single Judge, the present appeal(s) may kindly be disposed of having not been pressed any further.
13. Ordered accordingly.
14. Pending application(s), if any, stands disposed of.
15. Photocopy of this order be placed on the files of other connected cases.
(HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI)
JUDGE
(VIKAS SURI)
November 04, 2025 JUDGE
Varinder
Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes
Whether reportable : No
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