Authorities are mandated to respond to applications under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules within reasonable timeframes.

JUDGMENT

Petitioner claims that she had filed an application in Form 5 under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules , 2008 (for short ‘the Rules’), a copy of which is produced as Ext.P4.

2. According to the petitioner, though the application was filed on 05.01.2026 neither has a report been submitted by the Agricultural Officer nor has any decision been taken by the 1^st respondent.

3. Form 5 application filed by the petitioner is a statutory application as per Rule 4(d) of the Rules. The competent authorities therefore have a legal duty to consider the said application in accordance with law within a reasonable time. Therefore, there will be a direction to the 4^th respondent to submit a report as per the Rules.

4. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader, I am of the view that this writ petition can be disposed of with a direction to take a decision on Ext.P4 application in a time bound manner.

Accordingly, there will be a direction to the 4^th respondent to submit a report as contemplated under Rule 4(e) of the Rules, within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Pursuant to the receipt of the said report, the 1^st respondent shall take a decision on Ext.P4 application within three months thereafter. The timeline specified above shall strictly be complied with by the respective officers.

The writ petition is disposed of accordingly.

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