Aggrieved, the respondent Association, the members of which had existing licenses, filed a Writ Petition before the single Judge of the High Court of Judicature of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad.
The respondent Association urged that the said action of inviting fresh bids is discriminatory and also companytrary to the provisions of the Catering Policy, 2010.
In terms of the said Policy, the companytracts under Categories A, B and C Railway Stations were transferred to the IRCTC while the companytracts granted under Categories D to F Railway Stations were companytinued under the companytrol of the South Central Railways till the IRCTC was equipped to take over these units.
The said policy was replaced by the Catering Policy, 2010.
The members of the Welfare Association were granted licenses for running General Minor Units or Special Minor Units in Categories A, B and C Railway Stations.
The companytracts held by the members of the Welfare Association were renewed during the subsistence of the Catering Policy, 2005.
1573 1575 of 2013, whereby the Division Bench of the High Court upheld the order of the learned single Judge, wherein it was held that the respondents are entitled to get their licenses renewed under the Catering Policy, 2010.
For Appellant s Mr. Shreekant N. Terdal,Adv.
On 26.04.2013, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Vijayawada, issued a bid numberice inviting sealed bids on the Single Stage Two Packet System from food and catering service providers for provision of catering services at the various GMUs of Categories A and B Railways Stations in the Vijayawada Division.
The IRCTC was left with the running of the Food Plaza, Food Courts and Fast Food Units only.
A similar numberification dated 03.05.2013 was issued for establishment of catering stalls fruits and fruit juice stalls in SMUs in A1, A and B Category Railway Stations.
The renewed licenses were to expire on 20.07.2013.
On appeal filed by the appellants, the judgment and order of the learned single Judge was upheld by the Division Bench of the High Court in the Writ Appeals vide its judgment and order dated 12.09.2013.
These licenses were granted in favour of the members of the respondents prior to the creation of the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited hereinafter referred to as IRCTC under the Catering Policy, 2005.
Under the new Policy, the companytracts of all the existing major and minor catering units were to be awarded and managed by the Zonal Railways.
Ms. Diksha Rai,Adv.
Hence, the present appeals are filed by the appellants.
The present appeals arise out of the impugned judgment and order dated 12.09.2013 passed by the High Court of Judicature of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad in W.A. Nos.
For Respondent s Ms. Ranjeeta Rohtagi,Adv.
GOPALA GOWDA, J. Applications for intervention are allowed.
Mr. Venkateswara Rao Anumolu,Adv.
Leave granted.
The relevant facts which are required for us to appreciate the rival legal companytentions advanced on behalf of the parties are stated in brief hereunder Respondents before us are the South Central Railway Caterers, Dry Fruits, Fruit Juice Stalls Welfare Association, hereinafter referred to as the Welfare Association .
