WP/36052/2015 of M/s. Shalom Cartons, Vs Southern Power Distribution Company of A.P. Limited on 10 March 2026

1. M/S. SHALOM CARTONS, A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REP.BY ITS MANAGING PARTNER ADAPA JYOTHI RAJ, D.NO.6-6-53, 6/2, ARUNDELPET, GUNTUR.

...PETITIONER AND

1. SOUTHERN POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY OF A P LIMITED, REP. BY ITS VICE CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT.

2. THE DIVISIONAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, OPERATION, APSPDCL, GUNTUR.

3. THE ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL ENGINEER, OPERATION, APSPDCL, TOWN-I, GUNTUR.

...RESPONDENT(S): Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. V S R ANJANEYALU Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. VENKATESWARLU POTHAPRAGADA

2. V V SATISH (SC for APEPDCL)

3.

4. JAGARLAMUDI KOTESWARI DEVI

5. RAMA CHANDRA RAO GURRAM (SC FOR AP PCB)

The Court made the following ORDER:

The Writ Petition is filed aggrieved by the letter dated 26.10.2015, issued by the 3rd respondent. Through the said letter, the petitioner was called upon to produce the Pollution Clearance Certificate within seven days and informed that the Service Connection would be disconnected in the event the certificate is not produced.

In the Writ Petition it was, inter alia, contended that the petitioner’s firm is carrying on business of making cardboard boxes using the paper as raw material and no manufacturing activity is involved. It is also alleged that the impugned proceedings, threatening to disconnect the power supply, is nothing but a colourable exercise of power and further that as the respondents have not issued any notice, the whole action and the impugned letter is liable to be declared as illegal.

A learned Judge, while admitting the Writ Petition, vide order dated 05.11.2015, suspended the impugned letter. The said order was extended until further orders on 10.12.2015.

Today, when the matter is taken up for consideration, the learned counsel representing the 5th respondent-A.P. Pollution Control Board, placed a copy of letter dated 07.03.2026, received from the Environmental Engineer for perusal of the Court, wherein it is inter alia stated as follows: “14. Further, it is submitted that activities such as printing visiting cards, pamphlets, bill books, wedding cards, and DTP designing do not fall under the Consent Management of the Board. Hence, the present activity which is being carried out by Shalom Cartons does not require the licence from AP Pollution Control Board.”

In the light of the afore-stated position, more particularly that the activity carried on by the petitioner does not require licence from the Pollution Control Board, no detailed adjudication is required. As the basis for the impugned letter is non-production of Pollution Clearance Certificate, which is not required in terms of the above extracted instructions, the proceedings impugned in the Writ Petition shall not be given effect to and no action against the petitioner with reference to the same shall be initiated.

The Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above observations. No costs.

Consequently, the Miscellaneous Applications pending, if any, shall stand closed. NINALA JAYASURYA, J Date:11.03.2026. Ssv

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA

WRIT PETITION NO: 36052 OF 2015 Date:11.03.2026 Ssv