JUDGMENT:

Heard Ms. A. V. S. Laxmi, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri P.

Shreyas Reddy, learned Government Pleader, attached to the learned Advocate General’s Office for the State of Andhra Pradesh and Sri Metta Chandrasekhar Rao, learned standing counsel for the Central Power Distribution Corporation of A.P.Ltd. (APCPDCL), appearing for the respondents.

2. This writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief:

“….to issue an appropriate Writ Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of the 1st Respondent in issuing G.O.Ms.No.7 Energy (Power-III) Department, dated 08.04.2022 exorbitantly increasing the levy of electricity duty from Rs. 0.06 per unit to Rs.1 per unit on the energy sales made to commercial and industrial consumers, in colourable exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3(1) of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Duty Act, 1939, and the consequential action of the 2nd Respondent to levy electricity duty at the enhanced rate inter alia by raising bills for the months of April vide HT Bill No.2201576370, dated 05.05.2022, May 2022 vide HT Bill No.22016311826 date