THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE ASHUTOSH MOHUNTA WRIT PETITION No.31316 of 2010 ORDER: The petitioner filed an application for grant of ryotwari patta and also pattadar pass book/title deed by effecting mutation in revenue records, after preparing the record of sub division relating to agricultural land admeasuring 0.50 cents in RS.No.99/2 of Bahubalendrunigudem village, Gannavaram Mandal, Krishna District. The 2nd respondent rejected the claim of the petitioner on the ground that the Joint Collector, who is exercising the powers of the Settlement Officer, is competent to grant such patta under A.P. (Andhra Area) Inams (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1956. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that appropriate application would not lie before the Joint Collector to exercise powers of Settlement Officer, but it is the 2nd respondent who is the competent authority to deal with the application filed by the petitioner. The aforementioned legal position is not denied by the learned Government Pleader for Revenue appearing for the respondents. In view of the above, the impugned order dated –06-2010 is set aside and the matter is remanded to the 2nd respondent to take a final decision on the application filed by the petitioner. It is made clear that before taking a final decision by the 2nd respondent, the petitioner shall be heard. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. No order as to costs. _____________________ ASHUTOSH MOHUNTA,J 21.12.2010 v v