Court directed the consideration of applications under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act within set timeframes.

JUDGMENT

The above Writ Petition (C) is filed with the following prayers:

"i. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, commanding the 3rd respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders in Exhibit P4, the Form 6 application change of nature of unnotified land, after strictly following the procedures prescribed in law, within a time frame of two months or such period as this Hon’ble Court may fix;

ii. Pass any other orders or directions that this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the interest of Justice; iii. Dispense with the translation of the documents produced in the vernacular language;

And iv. Award cost. "

[SIC]

2. The main prayer in this Writ Petition is to consider Ext.P4 Form - 6 application filed by the petitioner under Section 27A read with Rule 12(1) of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act and Rules, 2008 ('Act and Rules' in short).

3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader.

4. After hearing both sides, I think there can be a direction to consider Ext.P4 within a time frame.

Therefore, this Writ Petition is disposed of in the following manner:

1. The 5^th respondent is directed to submit the necessary report based on the Ext.P4 application to the 3^rd respondent/Authorised O period of one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment.

2. The 3^rd respondent/Authorised O to consider the Ext.P4 application (if it is pending and if it is in order) based on the report received from the 5^th respondent, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the report. I make it clear that the 3^rd respondent is free to pass appropriate orders in accordance with the law.

3. The petitioner will produce a certified copy of this judgment, along with a copy of this Writ Petition with exhibits, before the 3^rd and 5^th respondents for compliance.

Sd/-