ORDER :

As common issue arises for consideration in all these writ petitions, they are being disposed of by this common order, at the admission stage itself, with the consent of both sides.

2. The pleadings in W.P. No.84 of 2023, which is taken as lead case for disposal of this batch of writ petitions, are as under:

2.1. The Government of Telangana State issued G.O.Ms.No.59 dated 30.12.2014 for regularisation and transfer of rights on land encroachments on unobjectionable Government lands, surplus lands and ULC lands to the people on payment basis. As per the said G.O., the persons who are in possession of land on or before 02.06.2014 are eligible for regularisation on payment of amount.

2.2. The rates fixed for the respective extent of residential land are as under :

1. Possession up to 250 square yards, 50% of the basic value as on 02.06.2014.

2. Possession up to 500 square yards, 75% of the basic value as on 02.06.2014.

3. Possession above 500 square yards, basic value as on 02.06.2014.

2.3. In case of regularisation of non-residential land, irrespective of extent, basic value as on 02.06.2014 shall be collected.

2.4. The Government of Telangana has issued G.O. Ms. No.14, Revenue (Assignment-I) Department, dated 14.02.2022 recommending rates for regularisation as per the amendment issued in G.O. Ms. No.12 dated 30.01.2015 which are as under :

1. Upto 250 square yards, 25% of the basic value as on 02.06.2014.

2. Upto 500 square yards, 50% of the basic value as on 02.06.2014.

3. Above 500 square yards, 75% of the basic value as on 02.06.2014.

2.5. The Petitioner submitted Application No.AOGO22200175256 dated 05.12.2022 for regularisation of Plot bearing H.No.9-75, admeasuring 245 square yards, in Survey No.141 of Mamidipally Village, Balapur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District. The petitioner received demand notice issued by respondent No.2 - the District Collector, Ranga Reddy District, to pay Rs.10,74,850/- towards regularisation charges in three (3) installments which is as under :

2.6. It is submitted that as per G.O. Ms. No.59 dated 30.12.2014 read with G.O. Ms. No.14 dated 14.02.2022, regularisation charges for the land up to 250 square yards is 25% of the basic value as on 02.06.2014. The basic value of the subject land as on 02.06.2014 was Rs.3,500/- per square yards. Thus, the total value of the subject land is Rs.8,57,500/- and 25% of the same comes to Rs.2,14,375/- which is required to be paid by the petitioner for regularisation.

2.7. The demand of Rs.10,74,850/- towards regularisation charges made by respondent No.2 is excess, as such, the same is illegal, arbitrary and in violation of principles of natural justice. Hence, this writ petition.

3. Heard Mr. L. Harish, Mr. Chetluru Sreenivas, Mr. Gudi Madhusudhan Reddy, Mr. Gouravulu Anil Kumar, Mr. Rupendra Mahendera, Mr. P.L. Rao, and Mr. Venkat Raghu Ramulu, learned counsel for the petitioners; Mr. Harender Pershad, learned Special Government Pleader, representing the learned Advocate General, and also appearing for learned Government Pleaders for Assignment and Revenue for the respondents, and perused the material on record.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that regularisation scheme under G.O. Ms. No.59 dated 30.12.2014 was extended under G.O. Ms. No.14 dated 14.02.2022. The cut off date for determining basic value is fixed as 02.06.2014 as clearly evident from G.O. Ms. No.14. The stand taken by the Government that basic rate as on the date of application (in the year 2022) has to be paid by the petitioners is contrary to G.O. Ms. No