WP/25226/2026 of MALLA TULASI RAM Vs THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH on 7 October 2026

1. MALLA TULASI RAM, S/O. GANAPATHI RAO,AGE 50 YEARS, OCC AGRICULTURE, R/O. D.NO.1-106, PANJAVEMAVARAM, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

2. VERAVALLI CHANDRA SEKHAR,, S/O. SURYA NARAYANA, AGE 59 YEARS, OCCUPATION FARMER, R/O. D.NO. 4-157/1, KOLLERU, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

...PETITIONER(S) AND

1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDING, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH 522 238.

2. THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE AQUA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, REP BY CHAIRMEN CUM COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, PORANKI, BANDA ROAD, VIJAYAWADA, A. P 521 137.

3. THE SHRIMP FEED MANUFACTURER ASSOCIATION, REP BY ITS VICE PRESIDENT, R/O.12-13, ANNA SALAI, PALAVAKKAM, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU 600 041

...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toissue order or orders, Direction or Directions, Writ or Writs particularly one in nature of Writ of mandamus and declare the action of 3rd

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237_2026 Respondent and his associates in increase of Shrimp feed by Rs.9,000/- and Rs.12,000/- per ton for the Vannamei variety and Tiger variety prawn respectively is illegal, arbitrary, against the principles of natural justice and violation of Art 14 Art 19(1)(g) and Art 21 and against the provisions of Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) Act, 2020 and consequently direct the official respondents to take appropriate action on the 3rd respondent and its associates for enhancing the shrimp feed rate in contrary to the provisions of Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) Act, 2020 IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased direct the official respondents not to allow the 3rd respondent and its associates to sell the shrimp feed at enhanced rates pending disposal of the writ petition pending disposal of the above writ petition IA NO: 2 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased may be pleased to vacate the interim order dated 03.09.2026 WP.No.25226 of 2026 and pass Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

1. K L N SWAMY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDARY

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237_2026 APHC010478022026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction)

THURSDAY, THE 8th DAY OF OCTOBER 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION NO: 26232/2026 Between:

1. MUDUNURI NAGARAJA VARA PRASADA RAJU, S/O. MUDUNURI SATYANARAYANA RAJU, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, OCCUPATION EX-MLA AND AQUA FARMER, R/O. 1-80, CHINNA STREET, NEAR SIVALAYAM, YELAMANCHALI MANDAL, KALAGAMPUDI, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

2. VADDI RAGHU RAM,, S/O. V.V.K. VEERBHADRA RAO, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, OCCUPATION EX-VICE CHAIRMAN, APSADA AND AQUA FARMER, R/O. 9-14-4, BANDIVARI STREET, 15TH WARD, TADEPALLIGUDEM, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

...PETITIONER(S) AND

1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDING, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 522 238.

2. THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE AQUA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, REP BY CHAIRMAN CUM COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, PORANKI, BANDA ROAD, VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH - 521 137.

3. THE SHRIMP FEED MANUFACTURER ASSOCIATION, REP BY ITS VICE PRESIDENT, R/O. 12-13, ANNA SALAI, PALAVAKKAM, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU - 600 041

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237_2026

...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toissue order or orders, direction or directions, writ or writs particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus (a) Declare the action of the 3rd respondent and its associates in increase of Shrimp feed by Rs. 9,000/- and Rs. 12,000/- per ton for the Vannamei variety and Tiger variety prawn respectively as illegal, arbitrary, against the principles of natural justice and violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and against the provisions of Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) Act, 2020 (b) Consequently direct the official respondents to take appropriate action on the 3rd respondent and its associates for enhancing the shrimp feed rate in contrary to the provisions of Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) Act,

IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased direct the official respondents not to allow the 3rd respondent and its associates to sell the shrimp feed at enhanced rates pending disposal of the above writ petition Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

1. MEDAPATI SANTOSH REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDARY

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237_2026 APHC010481262026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction)

THURSDAY, THE 8th DAY OF OCTOBER 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION NO: 26237/2026 Between:

1. THE SHRIMP FEED MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION(SFMA), REP. BY ITS VICE PRESIDENT R/O. 12-13, ANNA SALAI, PALAVAKKAM, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU - 600 041

...PETITIONER AND

1. THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, ANDHRA PRADESH, PORANKI, BANDAR ROAD, VIJAYAWADA-523117.

2. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH -522 238

3. THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN-CUM-COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, PORANKI, BANDAR ROAD, VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH-521137

...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toissue an appropriate Writ, Direction or Order, particularly in the nature of Writ of Mandamus A. Declare the action of the Respondent No.l in issuing Impugned Notice dated 2 September 2026 bearing Lr. No. 3050/P1/2026 as being arbitrary and illegal and violative of provisions of

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237_2026 APSADA Act B.Consequently set aside the Impugned Notice dated 2 September 2026 bearing Lr. No. 3050/P1/2026, issued by Respondent No.1 C.Direct the Respondent No.l to forthwith implement the recommendations of the AP Shrimp Feed Ingredients Price terms of G.O. RT Monitoring Committee appointed in No. 187/190 dated 22.06.2026 IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased suspend the Impugned Notice dated 2 September 2026 bearing Lr. No. 3050/P1/2026, issued by Respondent No.l pending disposal of the above writ petition IA NO: 2 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased direct the Respondents to implement the price as agreed AP Shrimp Feed Ingredients Price Monitoring Committee appointed in terms of G.O. RT No. 187/190 dated 22.06.2026 in its meeting dated 24.07.2026 IA NO: 3 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased direct the Respondents to refrain from taking any coercive action against the Petitioner and its members pending disposal of the above writ petition Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. VIMAL VARMA VASI REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR FISHERIES

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237 of 2026

COMMON ORDER:

1. Writ Petition Nos.25226 of 2026 and 26232 of 2026 have been filed by farmers aggrieved by the unilateral increase in the prices of shrimp feed, and Writ Petition No.26237 of 2026 has been filed by the manufacturers of shrimp feed.

2. The writ petitions filed by the farmers have alleged that the procedure contemplated under the Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) Act, 2020, for fixation of the price of the shrimp feed was not followed and unilaterally the prices were increased. It is submitted that the prevailing shrimp feed prices were communicated vide circular dated 12.06.2026.

3. Considering the submissions made by the parties, this Court on 03.09.2026 directed the respondents to follow the rates specified in the circular dated 12.06.2026.

4. When the writ petition was taken up for hearing, the learned Assistant Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the competent authority is in the process of finalising the prices after consulting the stakeholders involved.

5. Sri O.Manohar Reddy, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner in W.P.No.26237 of 2026, submitted that the shrimp feed industry is under severe stress on account of the orders passed by this Court and that the companies are incurring losses. It is further

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237_2026 submitted that the estimated consumption of shrimp feed is about 14,00,000 metric tonnes per day and that the manufacturers are incurring losses at the rate of Rs.11.10 crores per day.

6. The Price Monitoring Committee, which was constituted to determine the prices of shrimp feed, had conducted the meetings by involving the stakeholders and today, the learned senior counsel has placed on record a memo dated 08.10.2026, along with the minutes of the meeting of the Andhra Pradesh Shrimp Feed Ingredients Price Monitoring Committee held on 28.09.2026. The minutes show that, although stakeholders did not agree on specific shrimp feed prices, the Price Monitoring Committee and the stakeholders accepted the expert- recommended formula-based pricing mechanism, subject to periodic review of raw material costs.

7. The farmers also reached consensus regarding the prevailing prices of shrimp feed. It was further agreed that the prices would be reviewed by both parties once every 45 days, based on the prevailing raw material prices and in accordance with the expert-recommended formula-based pricing mechanism.

8. The details of the formula-based price determination have been placed before this Court. As per the said formula, the prices of shrimp feed were determined at Rs. 119.18/-, which was discounted to Rs. 117.02/- Under the same formula, with the inclusion of 15% fish meal containing

HN, J

W.P.Nos.25226, 26232, 26237_2026 65% protein, the price was worked out to Rs. 115.21/-, and the discounted price to Rs. 111.06/-.

9. The shrimp feed prices would have to be essentially based on expert opinion, and the stakeholders would have to consider the consensus of both the farmers as well as the manufacturers of the shrimp feed. For now, the formula-based price fixation mechanism appears to be based on consensus reached after interaction with the farmers and the manufacturers. The formula arrived at by the members of the Expert Committee shall be followed, and the prices shall be reviewed once every 45 days. The revised prices shall be communicated to the stakeholders.

10. With these observations, these writ petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

As a sequel, Miscellaneous Petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

___________________ JUSTICE HARINATH.N Date:08.10.2026 NKA

Whether the order is : Speaking Yes/No / Reasoned Yes/No Reportable Yes/No / Non-Reportable Yes/No

HN, J

WRIT PETITION NOs: 25226, 26232 and 26237 of 2026 Date: 08.10.2026

NKA