K.J. Joseph, J.

The 5th respondent in O.P.No. 7573 of 1989 is the appellant in this appeal. The first respondent in the appeal had filed the above original petition challenging the validity of Exts. P2, P3, P4 and P5 orders passed by the respondents, wherein the above authorities have appointed the appellant herein as an ARD under clause 45(1) of the Kerala Rationing Order, 1966, in respect of the new ration shop sanctioned at a place called Kallimoodu in Vellarada Panchayat in Neyyattinkara Taluk, for which applications were invited as per Ext. P1 notification.

2. The 5th respondent in the appeal, viz., the District Supply Officer, Thiruvananthapuram published Ext. P1 notification wherein applications were invited from persons who are interested to conduct an authorised ration distribution outlet in Neyyattinkara Taluk at Vellarada Panchayat at a place called Kallimmoodu in Ward VI of the said Panchayat. The locality specified in the said notification is Vellarada Panchayat in Neyyattinkara Taluk. Pursuant to Ext. P1 notification, 10 persons had applied before the 5th respondent. The 5th respondent considered the relative qualifications of all the applicants and selected