Pump allotments: SC issues notices on Centre’s plea

The Supreme Court today issued notices on the Centre’s petition seeking transfer of all the petitions from high courts around the count...

The Supreme Court today issued notices on the Centre’s petition seeking transfer of all the petitions from high courts around the country challenging the decision to cancel all allotments of petrol pumps and LPG dealerships since January 2000.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B.N. Kirpal, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice Arijit Pasayat issued the notices to oil companies and allottees after the Centre’s petition was mentioned by Solicitor General Harish Salve.

	HC cancels petrol bunk allotment to A K Murthy’s wife
Chennai: The Madras High Court has cancelled the allotment of petroleum products dealership given to K.M. Padmini, wife of Union Minister of State Railways A.K. Murthy. Justice K P Sivasubramaniam, who cancelled the allotment while passing orders on a writ petition from Revathi, an unsuccessful candidate for dealership on Wednesday, rapped the Dealership Selection Board Chairman for ‘adopting an arbitrary and injudicious approach’. (ENS) Story continues below this ad

‘‘With a view to avoiding inconsistent decisions of the different high courts and district courts, it would be in the interest of justice that the Supreme Court may transfer the said cases to itself and dispose them or in the alternative transfer all such cases to one high court,’’ the Centre said in its petition.

The apex court will hear the matter next on August 26 when it will consider the Centre’s plea to transfer all the petitions to itself or to any one high court to avert ‘‘multiplicity of proceedings’’ on the same question.

* The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court stayed the operation of the Centre’s order cancelling the retail dealership of petrol pumps, kerosene and LPG allotted after January 2000 in the case of 22 allottees.

* Admitting over 30 petitions filed by allottees, the Bombay High Court also directed oil and gas companies not to implement, until August 28, the PM’s order.

Story continues below this ad

* Delhi, Rajasthan and Gauhati High Courts and the Gwalior Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court also stayed the Government advisory.

* Kerala High Court has directed the Centre to file counter affidavit before August 28, to a petition.

* Madras High Court adjourned to the next working day further hearing on a batch of 30 petitions.

* Jharkhand High Court stayed the cancellation of the petrol pumps. The court also directed the oil companies not to make fresh allotments till further orders.

Story continues below this ad

* Patna High Court heard a writ petition filed by an LPG distributor of Bihar seeking to stay cancellation of allotment of petrol pumps, LPG agencies and adjourned the hearing for Monday.

* Calcutta High Court directed the Centre and oil companies not to take any step against dealers of petroleum products without leave of the court till August 19.

PM Modi addresses the nation ahead of the rollout of new GST rates.

PM Modi says ‘GST savings festival’ begins soon: how household budgets are set for boost

Explained9 min ago

Ahead of the rollout of GST 2.0 effective from September 22, companies have announced lower prices for over 375 common-use goods. The government has urged corporates to pass on the benefits to consumers, resulting in cheaper prices for FMCG products, milk, butter, cheese, pickles, jams, and ice creams. Other items like shampoo, soap, cement, durable goods, and cars may also see a reduction.

View all shorts

Live Blog