IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.8777 of 2009 ***** Pramod Narain Thakur S/o Late Janardan Thakur, resident of village- Nandani, P.O. Siwasinghpur, P.S. Mohiuddin Nagar, District-Samastipur. …. …. Petitioner Versus 1. The State of Bihar. 2. The Collector, Samastipur. 3. The S.D.O., Patori. 4. The Circle Officer cum B.D.O., Mohiuddin Nagar. 5. The Block Agriculture Officer, Mohiuddin Nagar. …. …. Respondents ----------- 2. 28.7.2009. Petitioner’s claim for compensation for the loss by fire to his agriculture produce in the year in question is based on a circular of the State Government contained in Annexure-2, which is dated 21.4.2008. Petitioner’s grievance is that he has filed an application before the Circle Officer, Mohiuddin Nagar but the said Circle Officer is keeping mum on the issue and not taking decision. From the information sought and provided by the Information Officer, which is Annexure-6 this fact is not denied that application of the petitioner with some other applicants is pending for consideration. Since there is failure on the part of the public authority to decide the issue within a time frame the present writ application has been filed. The Court fails to understand as to why the Circle Officer concerned is not responding to the claim of the petitioner and decide the issue one way or the other. If the claim of the petitioner is within the ambit of the circular contained in Annexure-2 an appropriate order should be passed or a rejection as well can be communicated to the petitioner - 2 - giving reasons thereof. Since enough time has been wasted this Court directs the Circle Officer, respondent no.4 to decide the issue of compensation in terms of Annexure-2 within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication/production of a copy of this order. Failure on the part of the Circle Officer to decide the issue may be brought to the notice of the District Magistrate of the district, who will be free to take any action which may be required on the administrative side against the Circle Officer. This writ application stands disposed of with above direction. Pawan/- (Ajay Kumar Tripathi, J.)