Authorities have a legal obligation to process applications under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules within a reasonable time frame.

JUDGMENT

Petitioner claims that he 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.P3.

2. According to the petitioner, though the application was filed on 01.04.2025 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. Hence, there will be a direction to the 3^rd 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.P3 application in a time bound manner.

Accordingly, there will be a direction to the 3^rd 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.P3 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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