Authority must consider applications under conservation laws within specified timelines to ensure compliance with legal frameworks.

JUDGMENT

This writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs:

“i. To issue a writ of mandamus order or other appropriate writ or direction directing the 1st respondent, Revenue Divisional Officer to consider and pass orders on Ext. P2, Form 6 application, numbered as 9/2025/1077213 dated 28.05.2025 under Section 27 A of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wet Land Act 2008 forthwith.

ii. To issue a writ of mandamus or direction to the 2nd respondent Tahsildar to reassess the property under section 6A of the Kerala Land Tax Act consequent to the orders passed by the 1st respondent on Ext. P2 application and to make additional entries in the BTR showing the nature of the property as Garden land/ Purayidam.

Iii. To issue any other writs order or direction which this Hon’ble Court may deem fit on the facts and circumstances of the case.

iv. Petitioner may be permitted to dispense with the filing of translation of the vernacular documents.” [SIC]

2. The main prayer in this Writ Petition is to consider Ext.P2 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.P2, within a time frame.

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

1. The 4^th respondent is directed to submit the necessary report (if not already submitted), based on Ext.P2 Form-6 application, to the 1^st respondent / Authorised Officer within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment.

2. The 1^st respondent / Authorised O directed to consider Ext.P2 Form-6 application (if it is pending and if it is in order) based on the report received from the 4^th respondent, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the report. I make it clear that the 1^st 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 1^st and 4^th respondents for compliance.

Sd/-