T. N. C. RANGARAJAN, J.

( 1 ) THESE petitions arise out of the rejection of the applications for renewal of licences in Form B-2 and D-2 under The Andhra Pradesh Distillery Rules/1970 and The Andhra Pradesli Brewery Rules, 1970. THE FACTS

( 2 ) THE common facts in all these cases can be briefly summarised as follows: the several companies before us are engaged in the manufacture of spirits and liquor. They are in possession of industrial licences (COB) issued by the ministry of Industry, Government of India. They had also been issuing licences either in Form B-2 under The Andhra Pradesh Brewery Rules, 1970 or in form d-2 under The Andhra Pradesh Distillery Rules, 1970. The excise year ended on 30-9-1993 and accordingly, the licences given in B-2 and D-2 forms were to expire on 30-9-1993. Under Rule 6 of The Andhra Pradesh Brewery Rules, every licence shall ordinarily be for a period of one year and may be renewable at the end of each year on the application made on month in advance. Condition 19 of the licence states that if the licensee fails to apply for renewal after paying the fixed fee, within fifteen days from the date of the commencement of the excise year, he shall pay late f

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