JUDGMENT

Prateek Jalan, J. - This batch of 88 writ petitions is directed against communications dated 17.07.2019 and 09.09.2019 addressed by the respondent/ Pharmacy Council of India [hereinafter, 'PCI'] to State Governments and Union Territory administrations. [The same communications have also been challenged in approximately 2500 other writ petitions, in which orders will be passed separately.] By the impugned letter dated 17.07.2019, the PCI communicated a decision taken at its meeting held on 09/10.04.2019 to impose a moratorium on the opening of new pharmacy colleges for a period of five years with effect from the academic year 2020-21. The letter dated 09.09.2019 conveyed the resolution taken at the meeting held on 05/06.08.2019, providing certain exemptions to the aforesaid moratorium.

Facts

2. The writ petitions proceed on a substantially similar factual basis. The petitioners claim to be desirous of establishing pharmacy colleges, for which they require prior approval of the PCI. It is stated that the petitioners procured land and physical infrastructure required prior to submission of their applications. In the normal course, they would have been required to submit applicat