2011 Supreme(Raj) 543
(Rajasthan High Court)
Jaipur Bench
Ramsaroop & Ors. Vs. Gramvasiyan Panchayat (Rafiq, J.)
HON'BLE MOHAMMAD RAFIQ, J.
Ramsaroop & Ors.
Versus
Gramvasiyan Panchayat Circle Aayana Panchayat Samiti, Itawa
S.B. Civil Writ Petition Nos. 2367, 2171, 10309, 10116, 10117, 10120, 4756-4758, 4760-4763, 4765, 4767-4773, 2368, 2369, 2371-2785 of 2009 With 2050 of 2008, decided on 30.05.2011
Kamla Jain with Mahendra Singh, for Petitioners;
Jinesh Jain, Govt. Counsel, for Respondents
Headnote:Rajasthan Panchayat Raj Rules, 1996, Rule 158 — Cancellation of allotment of plots of land allotted to people of weaker sections of the society — Bald finding of Addl. Collector that rule has been violated — Held — No specific finding as to which rule was violated — No provision of cancelling the allotment suo motu — Orders quashed and set aside — Matter remanded for fresh decision. (Paras 13 to 17)
Writ petitions partly allowed.
jktLFkku iapk;rh jkt fu;e] 1996] fu;e 158 & lekt ds detksj rcdksa ds yksxksa dks vkoafVr Hkw-[k.Mksa dk vkoaVu fujLr djuk & vfrfjDr dysDVj dk ;g dksjk fu"d"kZ fd fu;e dk mYya?ku fd;k x;k & vfHkfu/kkZfjr & dksbZ fofufnZ"V fu"d"kZ ugha fd dkSu ls fu;e dk mYya?ku fd;k x;k gS & Lo;eso gh vkoaVu dks fujLr djus dk dksbZ izko/kku ugha & vkns'k vfHk[kf.Mr ,oa vIkkLr fd;k & u;s fljs ls fu.kZ;kFkZ ekeyk izfr izsf"kr fd;kA ¼in la[;k 13 ls 17½
;kfpdk va'kr% Lohdkj dhA
2. Factual matrix of the case is that Gram Panchayat, Aayana issued patta of land in favour of petitioner on or about 20.12.2004. Originally, part of this land was allotted to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (for short, `BSNL') but BSNL informed the Gram Panchayat that it did not require the land and therefore allotment may be cancelled. Allotment made to BSNL was cancelled with approval of the Panchayat Samiti, Allotment id claimed to have been made in favour of petitioners on the basis of resolution passed by full quorum of the Gram Sabha on 26.8.2004. It is claimed, that all the petitioners are below poverty line (for short, `BPL') and are landless and unemployed persons Object of allotment of land was, to enable them to earn their livelihood similarly, allotment has been made to petitioner Swami Vivekanand School and Shri Bajrang Vyayamshala for running public school and gym. Certain villagers challenged allotment of land pattas by filing revision petitions, which were allowed by impugned, judgment dated 27.3.2006 petitioners filed review petition before Additional Collector, Kota, who, by its, order dated 5.4.2007 rejected the same, hence the writ petitions.
3. Smt. Kamla Jain, learned counsel for petitioners, argued that allotment of land to petitioners was made strictly in accordance with Rule 158 of Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996 (for short, `the Rules of 1996') by resolution of Gram sabha dated 26.8.2004, said resolution of the gram sabha mentioning the fact that all petitioners are BPL, landless and unemployed persons. Petitioners have established small kiosks over allotted plots and have been earning their livelihood by sale of eatable etc. or otherwise doing small jobs like cycle-repairing etc. It is argued that Additional District Collector erred in law in holding that provisions of Rules 141 to 167 of Rules of 1996 were violated whereas allotment in present case was made under Rule 158, which enables Gram Panchayat to make allotment of lands not only for residential but also commercial purpose, to members of Scheduled Caste, Scavengers, Scheduled Tribes, Backward classes, village artisans, landless persons dependent on wage labour, IRDP selected families, Handicapped, Nomatic Tribes Gadia Lohar. etc. It is also argued that Rule 158 of the Rules of 1996 is a complete code in itself and it is as per said Rule that allotment have been made. Learned Additional District Collector was therefore wholly, justified in holding that allotments were null and Void.
4. Smt. Kamala Jain further argued that revision petitions were filed much belatedly and it was result of political rivalry between villagers. It is argued that disputed land is still in possession of petitioners, who are running their kiosks on the land prior to making allotment of land, a report of committee of panchas was obtained and thereafter objection from general public was called for on 20.11.2004. Learned counsel in this connection drew attention of the Court towards proceedings of the gram sabha dated 20.11.2004. Reference was also made to the resolution of standing committee of Panchayat Samiti dated 2