Patna High Court
Ranjeet Kumar, Proprietor, M/S Laxmi Rice MillversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- A ABHISHEK REDDY
Holding
The Court directed the District Magistrate to implement the guidelines for any pending paddy procurement and disposed of the petition.
Summary
The petitioner, a proprietor of a non-PACS rice mill, filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the State authorities to implement guidelines issued on 16‑12‑2025 for allowing non‑PACS mills to procure paddy and produce Custom Milled Rice (CMR). The respondents argued that the 2025‑26 paddy procurement season had already ended on 31 March 2026 and milling was underway. The Court, without delving into merits, disposed of the petition at the admission stage with the consent of both parties. It directed the District Magistrate of Khagaria to enforce the government’s guidelines for any remaining paddy procurement. Consequently, the petition was dismissed, subject to the said direction.
Issues considered
- Whether the State must implement the guidelines issued in Letter No. 3668/Food/Patna dated 16‑12‑2025 for non‑PACS rice mills in paddy procurement and milling.
- Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued after the paddy procurement season has concluded.
- Whether the writ petition can be disposed of at the admission stage with the consent of counsel.
Subjects
- Non-PACS rice mills
- Paddy procurement
- Custom Milled Rice
- Writ of mandamus
- Government guidelines
- High Court disposal
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5568 of 2026
======================================================
Ranjeet Kumar, Proprietor, M/S Laxmi Rice Mill S/o Rajendra Prasad, R/o
village- Mal Godam Maya Ram Road, P.O. and P.S.- Khagaria, District-
Khagaria.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Bihar State Food and
Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd., Patna, Bihar.
2. The Principal Secretary, Co-operative Department, Bihar, Patna.
3. The Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, Government of Bihar,
Patna.
4. The Registrar, Co-operative Society, Bihar, Patna.
5. The General Manager, Food Corporation of India, Regional Office,
Arunachal Bhawan, Exhibition Road, Patna.
6. The Pramukh (General Manager), Finance, Nigam Head Quarter, Patna.
7. The District Manager, Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd.,
Khagaria.
8. The Divisional Commissioner, Munger Division.
9. The District Magistrate, Khagaria.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Advocate.
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Addl. Advocate General (04).
For the BSFC : Mr. Shailendra Kumar Singh, Advocate.
Mr. Utkarsh Utpal, Advocate.
Ms. Sandhya Singh, Advocate.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. ABHISHEK REDDY
ORAL ORDER
4 05-05-2026 Heard the learned counsel for the parties.
2. The present Writ Petition has been filed for the
following reliefs:-
“(i) For issuance of an appropriate
writ/order/direction commanding the
respondents to implement the guidelines issued
Patna High Court CWJC No.5568 of 2026(4) dt.05-05-2026
2/3
vide letter No. 3668/Food/Patna dated
16.12.2025 issued by the Food and Consumer
Protection Department, Government of Bihar.
(ii) For issuance of writ in the
nature of Mandamus directing the respondents
to provide opportunity of Non-PACS rice mills
including the including the petitioner’s mill for
purchase of paddy and supply of Custom Milled
Rice (CMR).
(iii) For issuance of appropriate
direction restraining the respondents from
illegally depriving Non-PACS mills from
participation in paddy procurement and milling
operations.”
3. Without going into the merits or demerits of the
case, the present writ petition is disposed of at the stage of
admission with the consent of both the Counsels.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
petitioner submits that the Government of Bihar has issued the
guidelines tagging of the Non-PACS Rice Mills vide Letter No.
3668/Food/Patna dated 16.12.2025 (Annexure-P/2). Learned
counsel submits that the said guidelines may be followed by the
authorities while allotting the paddy and for milling into Custom
Milled Rice (CMR).
5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
Respondent-BSFC, on the other hand, submits that the paddy
procurement season for the year 2025-26 is already over and the
last date of paddy procurement was 31st of March, 2026 and
now the milling is under process.
6. Having regard to the same, the present writ petition
Patna High Court CWJC No.5568 of 2026(4) dt.05-05-2026
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is disposed of directing the District Magistrate, Khagaria i.e.
Respondent No. 9 herein to implement the direction issued by
the Government of Bihar vide letter No. 3668/Food/Patna dated
16.12.2025 in letter and spirit if any procurement of paddy is yet
to be completed.
7. With the above directions, the present writ petition
stands disposed of.
(A. Abhishek Reddy, J)
shakir/-
U
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