ORDER

Date : 13.01.2022 Heard Mr. D. Saikia, learned Advocate General, Assam assisted by Mr. D. Nath, learned Senior Govt. Advocate, Assam for the applicants and Mr. A. Sarma, learned counsel for the opposite parties/writ petitioners of WP (C) No. 4475/2021, WP (C) No. 4268/2021 and WP (C) No. 4619/2021.

2. Petitioners of WP (C) No. 4475/2021 are the Gram Panchayat Samabay Samities/Co-operative Societies of the District of Nagaon whereas writ petitioners of WP (C) No. 4268/2021 are such samities of Morigaon District and writ petitioners of WP (C) No. 4619/2021 are such societies of the District of Darrang. All such petitioner societies are registered co-operative societies under the Assam Co-operative Societies Act, 1949 and the Assam Co-operative Societies Rules, 1953 and are regulated by the State statute and rules. The petitioner societies are in the field of lifting and distribution of PDS articles under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and also the Assam Public Distribution of Articles Order, 1982.

3. Following the enactment of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, in short). The State Govt. in respect of distribution of food grains followed that the Food and Civil Supplies