Altamas Kabir, J.

This appeal has been preferred by Shri Manik Chandra Sarkar and 62 others pursuant to leave granted by this Court on 13th July, 2001 and is directed against orders dated 27th April, 2001, 16th May, 2001 and 18th May, 2001, passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P. No. 6136(W) of 2001, filed by one Lakki Kanta Sarkar and 38 others, directing that the status quo as on 27th April, 2001, with regard to supply of whole wheat instead of Atta be maintained by the parties.

2. The petitioners in W.P. No. 6136(W) of 2001 claim to be a cross-section of ration card holders below and above the poverty line who have been drawing weekly ration articles through the Public Distribution System in Kalimpong Sub-Division. In the writ petition they have challenged a Memorandum No. 951/FS dated 7th March, 2001, issued by the Joint Secretary, Food and Supplies Department, Government of West Bengal, to the Director, District Distribution, Procurement and Supply, Government of West Bengal, indicating that the peoples representatives of Darjeeling District and Gorkha National Liberation Front ("G.N.L.F." for short), Kalimpong Branch, had been pressing for distribution of whole Meal