Allahabad High Court
Smt. Siraj Nasir And Ors. vs Union Of India (Uoi) And Ors. on 31 October, 2002
Equivalent citations: 2003(1)AWC296
Author: M. Katju
Bench: M. Katju, Rakesh Tiwari
JUDGMENT M. Katju, J.
1. This writ petition has been filed praying for a writ of certiorari to quash the impugned notices dated 30.10.2000 issued against the petitioner Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Annexures-3, 4, 5 and 6 to the petition) and for a mandamus directing the respondents not to make demands in pursuance of the aforesaid notices.
2. We have heard learned counsel for the parties.
3. The petitioners were given vending licences for selling food stuff on the railway station. True copy of the agreement entered into between the Petitioner No. 1 and the railway authority is Annexure-1 to the petition. The period of licence was from 21.5.1997 to 31.1.2001. The renewal thereafter was at the discretion of the railway administration. The authorities were at liberty to terminate the agreement without assigning any reason and in that event, the licensee would be entitled to get the refund of monthly sum paid for the expired period of licence. Similar agreement was entered into between the railway authorities and petitioner Nos. 2, 3 and 4. The licence fee was Rs. 1,085 per month.
4. Subsequently, on 30.10.2000 notices were issued to the petitioners asking them to show cause why their licences should not be terminated as they were not providing proper service to the public vide Annexures-3, 4, 5 and 6. The petitioners sent replies vide Annexures-7, 8, 9 and 10. It was also stated in the notice that the licence lee has been increased from 1.7.1999. Aggrieved this writ petition has been filed in this Court
5. A counter-affidavit has been filed on behalf of the respondent Nos. 1 to 5. In paragraph 4 it is stated that the petitioners were licencees for sale of fruit, fruit juices, fruit salads, etc. on the railway platform. The licences were valid upto 31.1.2001. The licences have not been renewed by the railway administration. Hence, it is alleged that the petitioner has no right to continue after 31.1.2001.
6. In paragraph 9 of the counter-affidavit it is stated that the railway board by circular dated 24.6.1999 has revised the licence fee vide Annexure-1 to the counter-affidavit. In paragraph 11 of the counter-affidavit it is stated that the Government of India, Ministry of Railway has issued a new catering policy dated 20.10.2000 because of the need for augmenting earnings of the Indian Railways. The expectations of the rail passengers are increasing and the passengers wanted higher standards of service from the caterers. For this reason the licence fee was increased. Photocopy of the catering; policy 2000 is Annexure-C.A. 2 to the counter-affidavit. In paragraph 13 it is stated that the railway authorities had found several irregularities in selling fruit, fruit Juices and fruit salads by the petitioners. A chart showing the fines imposed on the petitioners is Annexure-C.A. 3. In paragraph 17. It is stated that there is no illegality in demanding the licence fee by the railway. The licence agreement Annexure-1 to the petition provides in paragraph .3 (b) the power to the railway to make assessment. Hence, the enhancement is not illegal. Similar writ petition, has been dismissed by a Division Bench of this Court vide Annexure-C.A. 4.
7. In our opinion, since the petitioners licences were only up to 31.1.2001, the petitioners have no right to continue operating after that date. The petitioners are not the owners nor the lessees of the railway platform but are only licencees. It is settled law that a licence can be terminated at any time by the licensor. Hence, the petitioners can claim no right after 31.1.2001.
8. As regards the enactment of the licence fee. this matter has already been decided by the Division Bench of this Court in Writ Petition No. 4814 of 2000 (M/B), Barkat Khan and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. decided on 8.11.2000. Following the aforesaid decisions, this argument of the petitioner against the enhancement of the licence fee has also to be rejected.
9. In our opinion there is a difference between a lessee and a licencee, the petitioner cannot be claimed to be lessees of the platform but are: only licencees of the same.
10. Clause 43 of the licence deed empowers the licensor, i.e, the railway administration to alter any condition of the grant of licence. The petitioners were parties to this agreement Annexure-1 to the petition and hence they cannot complain that any alteration cannot be made in the licence agreement. The railway administration has decided to impose a new policy for catering and vending on the railway platform and in this connection the catering policy 2000 was issued. This Court cannot ordinarily interfere with the policy decision of the administration. If the petitioners were of the opinion that in view of the enhancement in the licence fee the business was not profitable, they were at liberty to stop the business of vending on the railway platform and do other business, but they continued to occupy the platform in question for vending. Their foodstuffs, which was illegal after 31.1.2001 since their licences were not renewed after that date.
11. Thus, there is no force in this writ petition and it is dismissed. The interim order, if any is, vacated. No order as to costs.