CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging the recent steep hike in the price of petrol. Accepting the arguments of Central Government senior standing counsel S Haja Mohideen Gisthi, a vacation bench comprising Justices K Venkataraman and C S Karnan dismissed the public interest writ petition from advocate R Balasubramanian on Thursday.The PIL prayed for a direction to the Union Ministry of Petroleum to consider his representation dated May 28 last to withdraw the price hike and to ensure smooth supply of petrol and diesel throughout the State of Tamil Nadu.The bench said fixing the price of petrol and diesel or any other commodity was within the purview of the government, and this court exercising the power under Article 226 of the Constitution could not interfere with such matters. In this case the price was being fixed by the Union of India, considering various circumstances, and it could not be probed by this court on the writ petition.“Therefore we are unable to accede to the contention of the petitioner that this court could interfere in such matters and direct the Centre to reduce the price of petrol,” the bench said.As regards the contention relating to supply, the bench pointed out that the TN government had made earnest efforts to ensure the smooth supply of petrol and diesel, as a result of which petrol and diesel were available in all bunks. This could be taken judicial note of by this court. That apart, the petitioner had sent his representation only on May 28 last and he could not expect the Central Government to consider it within a few days. “Considering the totality of the circumstances, we are of the opinion that the claim made by the petitioner in the writ petition cannot be acceded to and in fine it stands dismissed,” the bench said.
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