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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
N. NAGARESH, J.
Reeta John - Petitioner
Versus
The State of Kerala, Represented by Secretary to Government Department of Revenue Government Secretariat & Ors. - Respondents
WP(C) No. 25725 of 2023
Decided On : 07-08-2023
Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules - Property Nature Change - The court held that the fee imposed on the petitioner for changing the nature of the land in Revenue records was not applicable as the building existed prior to the Act, 2008.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner owned a property with a commercial building and sought to change the nature of the land in Revenue records. The authorities demanded a fee for the existing building.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the building existed prior to the Act, 2008, and therefore, the fee imposed was not applicable. The orders demanding the fee were set aside, and the Revenue Divisional Officer was directed to pass fresh orders.
Issues: The issue was whether the fee for changing the nature of the land in Revenue records was applicable to a building that existed prior to the Act, 2008.
Ratio Decidendi: The court interpreted the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules, 2008, and held that the fee was leviable only for buildings proposed to be constructed after changing the nature of the land.
Final Decision: The court set aside the orders demanding the fee and directed the Revenue Divisional Officer to pass fresh orders within a month.
JUDGMENT :
The petitioner owns 4.85 Ares of property in Survey No.P149/2B/43 of Pathanamthitta Village with a four storied commercial building therein. According to the petitioner, the building was constructed prior to the year 2008.
2. The land of the petitioner was described as paddy land in the BTR and in the Revenue records. The petitioner wanted to change the nature of the land in BTR and other Revenue records. Therefore, a Form-6 application invoking Rule 12 of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules was filed by the petitioner. The application submitted by the petitioner was responded to as per Exts.P1 and P2 orders of the Deputy Collector. By Exts.P1 and P2 orders, the petitioner has been required to pay a fee of Rs.12,46,128/-in respect of the building existing in the property.
3. The petitioner states that the building was already existing in the property even prior to the year 2008. Therefore, fee cannot be imposed on the petitioner for changing the nature of the land in Revenue records.
4. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Senior Government Pleader representing the respondents.
5. Ext.P5 certificate issued by the Pathanamthitta Municipality would indicate that the building of the petitioner was in existence even in the year 1999-2000 and building tax was being paid in respect of the said building since then. Therefore, it is evident that the building was in existence when the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 came into force.
6. The Schedule attached to the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules, 2008 would indicate that fee in respect of a building is leviable only for buildings proposed to be constructed after changing the nature of the land. Since the building of the petitioner was in existence even prior to the Act, 2008, Exts.P1 and P2 cannot stand the scrutiny of law.
7. In the facts of the case, Exts.P1 and P2 are set aside to the extent it demands fee in respect of the building in question. The 3rd respondent-Revenue Divisional Officer is directed to pass orders afresh within a period of one month.
The writ petition is disposed of as above.
AI
The fee in respect of a building is leviable only for buildings proposed to be constructed after changing the nature of the land.
The fee for changing the nature of the land in Revenue records is not applicable to buildings that existed prior to the Act, 2008.
Fees for land use change cannot be imposed on constructions pre-dating legal amendments, affirming principles established in prior case law.
A fee demand for existing buildings exceeding 3000 sq. ft. is unenforceable as it violates prevailing statutory provisions.
Court affirms prior rulings that rule imposing conversion fees is unlawful, pending higher court review.
Existing construction and prior land conversion need expedited review per established legal standards.
The court ruled that a fee demanded for an existing building, constructed prior to the relevant Act, is not applicable.
The court held that the collection of additional fees for building areas exceeding 3000 sq. ft. under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wet Land Rules, 2008, is unsustainable, relying on esta....
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