RAGHAVAN, J.:- This batch of writ petitions relate to the validity of the Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Amendment, Act 23 of 1969. The allegations in each of these writ petitions are almost the same and for the sake of convenience we set out the allegations in W.P. 6 of 1970. The petitioner owns in Perungudi vattam, Thirumayam taluk, Pudukottai Division, Tiruchirapalli Dt. Punja and nanja lands of an extent of 25 acres known as Kadayakudi alias Vichitraraya Raghunathasamudram. These lands were acquired by the joint family of which the petitioner was a member by purchase from the alienees of the original inamdars or their descendants. The petitioner Rot the above lands for his share at the partition in the joint family.

2. In the year 1888 Pudukottai Darbar framed rules for the settlement of inams known as Pudukottai Inam Settlement Rules, 1888 similar to the Madras Inam Settlement Rules, 1859. Under the said Pudukottai Inam Rules, Inams were converted into assessed lands on enfranchisement and permanent pattas were issued in respect of such lands. The prescribed assessment was payable to the Government direct and not through any intermedia