1. The petitioner challenges the Notice dated 13.04.2015 issued under the A.P. Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act alleging that though the petitioner was granted DKT Patta on 09.02.1992, the same was not brought under cultivation within three years from the date of grant. The said allegation was made based on the report of the Additional Revenue Inspector. It is also stated that the land is needed for public purpose for construction of office of Irrigation Department, as the land is situated adjacent to Tirupathi – Srikalahasti Road.

2. Heard Mr. P. Ganga Rami Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Assistant Government Pleader.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the requirement of land for public purpose cannot be a ground for cancellation of patta granted in favour of the petitioner, especially in view of the judgment in Land Acquisition Officer v. Mekala Pandu (2004 (2) ALD 451). He further submits that, even if the land is required for public purpose, he who has been assigned the land and who has developed the land over the years by putting his blood and toil has to be compensated and such compensation should be in accordan