Apex handloom society status requires proof of statutory eligibility; registration alone is insufficient, and fresh representation remains open.

A writ challenge to refusal of inclusion in the approved list of apex handloom societies failed on the existing record because no material showed that the petitioner satisfied the statutory requirements for apex status under the U.P. Co-operative Societies Act, 1965. The registration certificate alone was insufficient to establish the necessary classification or fulfilment of the conditions for an apex society. The refusal was treated as an administrative determination, and the petitioner was left free to submit proper supporting material to the authority through a fresh representation for consideration.

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Issues: Whether the writ petition challenging rejection of the claim for inclusion in the approved list of apex handloom societies could be granted on the existing material.

Analysis: The petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India against the refusal to recognise the petitioner as an apex handloom society. The Court noted that no material had been placed on record to show that the petitioner satisfied the statutory requirements of an apex society under Section 2(a-4) of the U.P. Co-operative Societies Act, 1965. The registration certificate alone did not establish the necessary classification or fulfilment of the conditions for apex status. In these circumstances, the impugned refusal was treated as an administrative decision, and the petitioner was left free to place proper material before the authority by way of representation.

Conclusion: The petitioner was not granted substantive relief on merits, but was permitted to make a fresh representation with supporting material for consideration by the authority.

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