THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.V. RAMANA WRIT PETITION No.21164 of 2009 DATED: 06.10.2009 Between: Smt. Chenchu Lakshmi .. Petitioner And The Government of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Social Welfare (C.V.2) Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad, and others. .. Respondents ORDER: Petitioner claims to be belonging to Yerukala Community, which is recognized as Scheduled Tribe. It is the case of the petitioner that the caste certificate issued in her favour by the Tahsildar concerned, certifying that she belongs to Yerukala Community, Scheduled Tribe, was cancelled by the 2nd respondent- Collector and District Magistrate, Sri Pottisreeramulu Nellore District, vide proceedings dated 21.04.1997, alleging that the same was obtained fraudulently. Questioning the said proceedings, she filed an appeal before the Government, and the Government, on 28.03.1998, granted stay of operation of the proceedings dated 21.04.1997 of the 2nd respondent, until further orders, and subsequently directed the 2nd respondent to furnish a detailed report, after conducting fresh enquiry. It is the grievance of the petitioner that, in spite of several reminders, no report, as sought by the Government, is furnished by the 2nd respondent till date, by conducting fresh enquiry, and, for want of the said report, the Government is not disposing of the appeal. It is also the grievance of the petitioner that the criminal case initiated against her, for the alleged offence of procuring job on the basis of fraudulent caste certificate, ended in acquittal, but, still, the proceedings initiated by the respondent authorities are not concluded. Learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, while admitting that there is inordinate delay in finalizing the proceedings initiated against the petitioner, submits that the said delay is on account of administrative grounds and the authorities may be directed to finalize the proceedings within a reasonable period. In view of the stand taken by the learned Government Pleader and in the facts and circumstances of the case, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition with the following directions: “The respondent authorities shall conclude the proceedings initiated against the petitioner and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order; failing which, the proceedings dated 21.04.1997 issued by the 2nd respondent, cancelling the caste certificate of the petitioner, shall stand cancelled.” The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No order as to costs. ____________________ JUSTICE N.V. RAMANA 6th October, 2009 IBL