THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition Nos.21996 & 22278 of 2007 COMMON ORDER: The Ongole Municipality, 3rd respondent herein launched a scheme for providing house sites to the economically weaker sections under a Central Government sponsored scheme. Accordingly, an extent of Ac.35.00 of land in the suburbs of the town was acquired and it was divided into 462 plots. Applications were invited for allotment of the plots by publishing a notification, dated 20.01.1988. Response was very poor. Thereafter, another notice was issued on 16.07.1991. The response was a bit encouraging. 206 plots were allotted and 236 plots remained. The petitioners submitted applications for allotment of plots on their own accord, by depositing 10% of the cost of plot in March 2005. Their grievance is that though they have fulfilled conditions, plots have not been allotted to them. The 4th respondent filed a detailed counter affidavit. It is stated that the submission of applications of the petitioners was voluntary and it is not preceded by any notice at all. It is also stated that even the allotment of 206 plots to the applicants in response to the notification was not approved by the Government. According to him, the guidelines for allotment of sites are issued in G.O.Ms.No.419, Municipal Administration, dated 13.08.1996. The remaining plots are said to have been put to auction as per the guidelines. So far as the petitioners are concerned, it is stated that they are not at all economically weak and they hold valuable urban properties. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the leaned Standing Counsel for the Municipality. The scheme itself was governed by the guidelines issued by the Central and State Governments. As in many cases, the initial response for allotment of plots was very poor. Therefore, efforts were made from time to time. By the year 2007, substantial number of plots remained unallotted. Therefore, a fair and transparent mechanism of putting the plots to auction was adopted. Had the petitioners submitted their applications in response to any notification issued by the Municipality, things would have been different altogether. They submitted applications and made deposits on their own accord. Such unilateral and voluntary submission of applications does not give raise to any rights. There is also serious doubt as to the eligibility of the petitioners to be allotted plots. Even otherwise, the respondents have adopted transparent and foolproof system of putting the plots to auction. No exception can be taken to it. This Court does not find any basis to grant relief to the petitioners. The writ petitions are therefore dismissed. It is directed that the Municipality shall refund the amount deposited by the petitioners, in case it was credited to its account, within four weeks from today. There shall be o order as to costs. __________ 11.06.2010 JSU THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition Nos.21996 & 22278 of 2007 Date: 11.06.2010 JSU