1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY APPELLATE SIDE, BENCH AT AURANGABAD WRIT PETITION NO. 373 OF 2010 Namdeo Gyanoba Kamble and others ...Petitioners Versus The State of Maharashtra and others ...Respondents ..... Smt. Asha D. Rakh, advocate for the petitioners Mr. V.H. Dighe, A.G.P. for respondents ..... CORAM: A.M. KHANWILKAR & S.S. SHINDE, JJ. DATED: 11TH FEBRUARY, 2010 PER COURT:- 1 This is yet another matter where the grievance made by the petitioners is that their application preferred under Section 28-A of the Land Acquisition Act 1894, as back as in the year 2000, has remained undecided even till this date. We are appalled by the laxity and in action on the part of respondent No.2 in not disposing of the said application within reasonable time. On account of such inaction, the petitioners not only had to suffer the agony of deprivation of their legitimate dues receivable on account of acquisition of the lands held 2 and possessed by the petitioners but also incur legal expenses. Not only the petitioners but even the State has to incur legal expenditure in defending this action. Such type of matters are repeatedly filed before this Court. In our order dated 25.01.2010, passed in writ petition No. 8348 of 2009, we have already directed the Chief Secretary to issue Circular to all concerned that any application/representation which the authority is expected to decide should dispose of the same within a reasonable time, failing which may face appropriate action including disciplinary action. We hope and trust that the Chief Secretary has taken note of the said directions and would issue the circular as is expected. 2 Be that as it may, we dispose of this petition with direction to respondent No.2 to forthwith consider and decide the application filed by the petitioners under Section 28-A of the Land Acquisition Act and in any case not later than three months from today. The petitioners shall appear in the office of respondent No.2 at 11.0 a.m. on 22.2.2010, when the respondent No.2 shall assign the next date of hearing of the proceeding and ensure that the same is concluded within specified time. After order is passed, the authority shall ensure that any payment receivable by the petitioners shall be made over within four weeks from the date of order, alongwith interest, if any. 3 Petition disposed of on the above terms. 3 4. Copy of this order be forwarded to the Chief Secretary by E- mail/fax forthwith. Learned A.G.P. assures us to communicate this order to the Chief Secretary at the earliest. ( S. S. SHINDE. J.) (A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.) rlj/