1. Challenge in this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is to the legality and validity of the Market Value Guidelines (Annexure-P/3) published by the Central Valuation Board/District Valuation Committee, Raipur, prescribing the market value of the property on which the stamp duty will be charged for transfer of the immovable property during the financial year 2015-16.

2. Petitioner is a colonizer and has started construction of a commercial complex after obtaining required permission from different statutory bodies. Prospective buyers are willing to purchase the property constructed by him, however, in view of the guidelines determining the market value, which is many more times than the actual market value, the property is beyond the reach and capacity of the prospective buyer, therefore, it prejudiced the rights of the petitioner as well as of the buyers.

3. Challenge is specifically thrown by citing examples that for Ward No. 23 Rani Laxmi Bai Ward the market value of the property falling between Khamtarai Police Station to Divisional Railway Office, up to Waltair Railway Crossing, is fixed at Rs. 15,000/- per sq. mtr. when the property is not on the main road, but off the main road, however, for the property comprising in Om Complex, Mansha Chambers and Karsan Bhai Chambers the market value of the property off the road (inside the main road) has been determined at Rs. 36,000/- per sq. mtr. It is, thus, contended that the fixation of market value is arbitrary and has been arrived at without proper application of mind.

4. It is also argued that the petitioner's complex namely; Karsan Bhai Chambers is one single project for which a different market value cannot be fixed because the guiding factor or the unit for fixation of market value is the ward/locality or the vicinity and not on the basis that it is a complex or otherwise. The petitioner has prayed for fixation of the market value as has been fixed for Entry No. 2 of ward No. 23, which is adjoining to Karsan Bhai Chambers. It has also been prayed, in the alternative, that the land/property of the petitioner be excluded and may not be clubbed with Om Complex/Mansha Chambers, which is in front of the entry point of Entry No. 7 of ward No. 23 because it is far away from Om Complex and Manna Chambers.

5. Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the State has argued that fixation of market value guidelines is an expert job conducted by an expert committee, therefore, it should be left to the committee and the petitioner cannot invoke writ jurisdiction for such matter. Learned State counsel would refer to the provisions contained under the MP/CG Preparation and Revision of Market Value Guidelines Rules, 2000 ('the Rules, 2000' in short) and the MP/CG Prevention of Under-valuation of Instruments) Rules, 1975 ('the Rules, 1975' in short).

6. Admittedly, the market value guidelines have statutory force because the same has been fixed by the committee in exercise of powers conferred to it under the Rules, 2000. Rule 3 of the Rules, 2000 provides for constitution of Central Valuation Board and its functions. Similarly, Rule 4 provides for constitution of District Valuation Committee and Sub District Valuation Committee & their functions. The Central Valuation Board consists of Inspector General of Registration, Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department or his representative not below the rank of Chief Engineer, Director of Town and Country Planning or his representative not below the rank of Joint Director, Commissioner of Land Records or his representative not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner, Director (Agriculture) or his representative not below the rank of Joint Director, Chief Conservator of Forest or his representative not below the rank of Conservator of Forests, any other members nominated by the State Government and the Deputy Inspector General of Registration and Stamps.

7. The Board is enjoined to receive information/data of property transac