SHANTANU KEMKAR, J.

1. The Petitioners are voters of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Tal. Shirur, District Pune (for short “the Committee”). They have challenged the order dated 1st August, 2016 passed by the Respondent No. 1 State whereby the term of office of the members of the Committee has been extended by six months with effect from 6th September, 2016 to 5th March, 2017.

2. Briefly stated the Committee had submitted a letter dated 10th May, 2016 to the Director of Marketing, State of Maharashtra, Pune seeking extension of term of the office of the members of the Committee which was expiring on 5th September, 2016. In the application following reasons were stated to seek the extension of term by two years.

(i) There is severe drought situation in the entire state of Maharashtra.

(ii) There is an ongoing dispute with regard to the village Pimpale Jagtap which is pending in the Hon'ble Bombay High Court.

(iii) The Market Committee of the Respondent No. 2 Committee have carried out their duties efficiently and in an appropriate manner in the last 4 years.

(iv) The Respondent No. 2 Committee is endeavoring to initiate onion and Pomogranate markets in the main market Co