- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010486762023 NC: 2026:KHC:42207 WP No. 20960 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL WRIT PETITION NO. 20960 OF 2023 (GM-PDS) BETWEEN: S. NARASIMHAPPA S/O LATE SIDDARAMAPPA AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS R/O G SHANTHENAHALLY VILLAGE KASABA HOBLI HOLALKERE TALUK CHITRADURGA DISTRICT-577 526. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHIVARAMU H C.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE JOINT DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES CHITRADURGA DISTRICT CHITRADURGA-577 501. 2. THE THASILDAR HOLALKERE TALUK HOLALKERE-577 526 CHITRADURGA DISTRICT. 3. CHANDRAPPA R S/O K RAJAPPA MAJOR R/O THIRUMALAPURA VILLAGE HOLALKERE TALUK - 577 526 CHITRADURGA DISTRICT. …RESPONDENTS Digitally signed by SUMA B N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010486762023 NC: 2026:KHC:42207 WP No. 20960 of 2023 (BY SRI. SRINIVAS KUMAR M., HCGP FOR R1 AND R2; SRI. KARTHIK YADAV V., ADVOCATE FOR R3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO i) DIRECTION TO QUASH THE ORDER DATED 19/07/2023 PASSED BY THE R1 IN HIS ORDER NO. CSD/NEW FPD/CR/237/2022-23 AT ANNEXURE-B AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL ORAL ORDER 1. Petitioner who was granted authorization by the Deputy Commissioner under the provisions of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (PDS) Control Order, 2016 to run fair price depot at G. Shanthenahalli (Guddada Shanthenahalli) is before this Court being aggrieved by the notification dated 20.02.2023 as per Annexure-A issued by the respondent No.1-Joint Director, in terms of which the respondent No.1-Joint Director has called for applications for opening up of fair price depot at Tirumalapura with 233 cards. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner referring to the Clause 11(2) of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (PDS) - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010486762023 NC: 2026:KHC:42207 WP No. 20960 of 2023 Control Order, 2016, submits that since the fair price depot belonging to the petitioner is situated within the rural area, the minimum number of cards cannot be reduced below 500 and if the intended notification is given effect-to, providing for establishment of another fair price shop with 233 cards, which otherwise is within the area of operation of the petitioner's fair price shop, the same would reduce the number of cards below the statutory minimum requirement. 3. Learned AGA, on the other hand, submits that the petitioner has been given authorization to run fair price depot at 'Guddada Shantanally', which though includes 'Tirumalapura', both are different Villages. He submits that there is no prohibition in authorities opening another fair price depot to serve the needs of an isolated settlement or layout where the number of cards are below the limit prescribed under Clause 11(2) of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (PDS) Control Order, 2016. 4. He however submits respondent-Authorities be permitted to open the Fair price shop as per the notification and it - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010486762023 NC: 2026:KHC:42207 WP No. 20960 of 2023 will be ensured that the minimum number of cards allotted to the petitioner would not be reduced below 500. 5. Submissions are placed on record. 6. Petition is disposed of. 7. Respondent-Authorities may proceed with the intended notification as per Section-A in opening up a new fair price shop at Tirumalapura. However, they shall not reduce The minimum number of the petitioner below 500, which are already attached to the fair price of the petitioner. Sd/- (M.G.S. KAMAL) JUDGE RL List No.: 1 Sl No.: 33