L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J.

( 1 ) THE question that falls for consideration in these two writ petitions is as to whether in view of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999 (Act 15 of 1999) of the Parliament repealing the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 (33 of 1976), the provisions of the latter Act are no longer in force in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Since this question arises in both the writ petitions, they are disposed of through a common judgment.

( 2 ) THE relevant facts may be stated as under :- The petitioner in W. P. No. 12781/99 filed declaration under Section 6 of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 (hereinafter referred to as the Ceiling Act ) in respect of the lands held by him in the Vijayawada Urban Agglomeration. The competent authority under the Ceiling Act declared the petitioner as holding 900 sq. mts. of land in excess of ceiling limits. The petitioner filed an application under Section 20 (1) (a) and (1) (b) of the Ceiling Act seeking exemption from the provisions of the Ceiling Act in respect of 900 sq. mts. in NTS 141 of Patamatalanka, Vijayawada. The application was rejected through orders dated 24-3-1998. Challengin

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