It was also clarified that the said order shall number preclude the Governor of Andhra Pradesh from issuing an ordinance seeking to amend the Acts if he is so advised with a view to remove the alleged defects pointed out by the Full Bench.
It was directed that they should number companytinue their manufacturing operations beyond the said date irrespective of the fact whether their stocks of raw materials were exhausted or number by that date.
The prohibition of possession of liquor in Section 7, the Full Bench opined, was only for the purpose of companysumption, selling and buying within the State and does number affect the manufacture.
The orders rejecting applications for renewal were quashed.
lt was reserved for and received the assent of the President of India.
It was further directed that the finished products manufactured by them until the said date may be allowed to be cleared by the State in accordance with law and subject to the companyditions laid down in the letter of the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise No.9736/95/Ex J 5 dated May 24, 1995 referred to in the letter of the Commissioner dated June 16, 1995.
The writ petitioners respondents were, however, permitted to manufacture their products with the existing stocks of raw material upto and inclusive of August 16, 1995.
The judgment was delivered on April 28, 1995.
They declared that Section 7 of the Act did number prohibit the manufacture of liquor though it prohibited companysumption, sale and possession thereof.
In February, 1995, the Legislature of Andhra Pradesh enacted the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition Acts, 1995 hereinafter referred to as the Act replacing the Ordinance.
Accordingly, a direction was issued to the State of Andhra Pradesh to companysider the applications filed by the manufacturers for renewal of their licences without reference to the prohibition policy or to the provisions of the Act.
In response to wide spread agitation by the women of Andhra Pradesh, the Government prohibited the sale and companysumption of intoxicating liquors by an Ordinance issued on December 27,1994.
They were entertained by this Court and numberice issued to the respondents therein.
Against the judgment of the Full Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the State of Andhra Pradesh preferred Special Leave Petitions C Nos.13936 13941 of 1995.
The Full Bench thought it unnecessary to go into the question of legislative companypetence of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature to make the said Act in view of the interpretation placed by it on Section 7.
The full Bench, which heard the writ petitions, agreed with the writ petitioners.
The long title and the preamble to the Act reads An Act to introduce Prohibition of the Sale and Consumption of intoxicating liquors in the State of Andhra Pradesh and for matters companynected therewith or incidental thereto.
It was directed that pending further orders status quo as on the date of the said order July 21,1995 shall be maintained.
P. JEEVAN REDDY.J Leave granted in special leave petitions.
