Timely processing of applications under land conservation law is essential to protect property rights.

JUDGMENT

The 1^st petitioner is the owner in possession of 3.24 Ares of property comprised in Survey No.228/2-5 in Re-Sy Block No.1 of Poonithura Village. The 2^nd petitioner is the owner in possession of 3.24 Ares of prperty comprised in Survey No.228/2-6 in Re-Sy Block No.1 of Poonithura Village. The grievances of the petitioners are with regard to the non- consideration of Ext.P2, Form-6 application submitted by the 1^st petitioner and another application submitted by the 2^nd petitioner in Form-6, receipt (No.K8/451007/21) of which is produced as Ext.P5.

2. Both properties were removed from the Data Bank as per orders passed on the applications submitted by the petitioners in Form-5.

4. Limited prayer sought by the petitioners is to direct the respondent concerned, before whom the said application is pending to pass orders thereon within a time frame.

5. After hearing the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader, I am inclined to dispose of this writ petition.

Accordingly, it is ordered that, the additional 4^th respondent Village Officer shall forward a report regarding the nature of the property of the petitioners to the 2^nd respondent or the authorized officer under Section 2 (xvA) of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Upon receipt of the said report, appropriate orders on Ext.P2 and Application.No.K8/451007/21 shall be passed by the 2nd respondent or the authorized officer as referred above within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of the said report.