Chennai

A division bench comprising Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice P Velmurugan, on suo motu impleading the Highways Secretary in the case, sought for the affidavit within two weeks.

The direction was based on a plea seeking to forebear the authorities from issuing NOC, Explosive Licence and other necessary approvals to open and operate a new roadside petroleum retail outlet at Agrahara Samakulam Village, Annur Taluk, Coimbatore North.

Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate VBR Menon, relying on a Supreme Court judgment, had submitted that adherence to IRC guidelines is mandatory while issuing the NOC for starting a new petrol/diesel outlet.

But, another division bench of Madurai, by an order on October 17, had held that the IRC guidelines are not mandatory. Since there are conflicting judgments the situation is in a mess as some authorities are following the IRC guidelines as mandatory while others are not doing so, Menon submitted.

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