IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE K.C. BHANU WRIT PETITION NO : 21425 of 2005 Between: M. Jagannadha rao, S/o. Late Venkata Rao, R/o. Anakapally, Visakhapatnam District. ..... PETITIONER AND 1. The Deputy Salt Commissioner, Chennai, State of Tamilnadu. 2. The Assistant Commissioner of Salt, Kakinada, East Godavari District. 3. The Superintendent of Salt, Naupada. 4. The Salt Factory Officer, Calingapatnam, Srikakulam District. ...RESPONDENTS * * * ORDER: This writ petition has been filed seeking a writ of Mandamus to declare the proceedings dated 22.8.2005 in C.No.10/Lands/217- 85/Casurina/95/423 issued by the 4th respondent, as illegal and arbitrary. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for respondents. 3. The petitioner is the lessee of the salt factory land at Calingapatnam, Srikakulam District, for the purpose of Casurina cultivation and the lease period of the petitioner expires by 06.10.2005. Even before expiry of the said period, the petitioner made a representation to extend the lease period. The same was considered by the Superintendent of Salt, Naupada, by his proceedings dated 29.07.2004 and addressed a letter to the Deputy Salt Commissioner, Chennai. Appropriate decision has to be taken by the Deputy Salt Commissioner, Chennai, in accordance with law on the recommendations of the Superintendent of Salt, Naupada. 4. Therefore, without entering into the merits of the case, the writ petition is disposed of directing the first respondent to take appropriate decision within one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order on the report submitted by the Superintendent of Salt, Naupada. Till the first respondent takes a decision, status quo as on today shall be maintained. ________________ K.C.BHANU, J. Date: 05th October 2005 BSB