The Gujarat High Court Tuesday issued notice to the state government while hearing a petition filed by the Gujarat fair price shops Licence Holder Association (GFPSLHA) against a circular food and civil supplies department.

GFPSLHA President Prahlad Modi, brother of the chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, has filed a petition for cancellation of a circular issued by the Department of Food and civil supplies, an official of fair price shop owners in the city to identify the ration card holders and false reporting to authorities.

The applicant also challenged the provision of crime against the owners just shop price, and the confiscation of their movable and immovable property, if they fail to report fake ration cards to the authorities.

Justice Abhilasha Kumari, hearing notices issued to Chief Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Secretary, food control and Ahmedabad Collector, and directed to submit a response to Sept. 5.

The plaintiff claimed that the circular of July 25 was published in “camouflage” to enter the public that the government was alert and in terms of fake ration cards.

It also states that the government wanted to transfer the responsibility for fair price retailers, which have no role in issuing ration cards.

The lawyer RK Mishra, appear Association, said that the whole process of purchasing cards after physical verification of identity and the address was within the government.

PTI