- (1.) The instant writ petition is preferred for issuance of appropriate writ or direction for supply of coal by the nodal agency, namely, the Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd., appointed by the Central Government and also for quashing the letter dated 10.12.2010 issued by the Incharge, Coal Trading Cell.
(2.) The grievance is that the petitioner has been subjected to discrimination. He is a small consumer and had applied with other consumers for supply of coal, but he has been singled out by means of the impugned letter whereby the petitioner's company was refused grant of coal supply.
(3.) Submission is that under the New Coal Distribution Policy of the Ministry of Coal, respondent No. 3- Dy. Commissioner, Palamu, issued notice inviting applications for purchase of coal of C.I.L. Collieries from JSMDC Ltd. The notice inviting application from the small and medium sector specifically mentioned that the distribution would be made through the New Coal Distribution Policy. The notice is annexed as Annexure-3 to the writ petition. The petitioner applied in response to the notice, in the prescribed format on 31.12.2008 for purchase of coal and also deposited requisite fee, which was duly accepted by the State of Jharkhand. It has been elucidated on behalf of the petitioner that he desires to establish the coal briquette plant on a land taken for 10 years lease at Palamu. Subsequently, he has made huge investment on purchase of necessary machineries and other establishments for running his small industry. The application for purchase of coal was refused by means of the impugned letter.;