THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION Nos.9532 of 2007 and 18069 of 2008 COMMON ORDER: The lands in various sub-divisions of Survey Nos.983, 986, 987, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1067, 1070 and 1072 of Komaragiri Village, Uppada Kothapally Mandal, East Godavari District were assigned by the Government initially in favour of the petitioners in W.P.No.9532 of 2007. Alleging that the assignees have violated the conditions of assignment, the lands were resumed. Subsequently, they were assigned in favour of the petitioners in W.P.No.18069 of 2008, which are societies, in the year 2001. The lands were needed for the purpose of establishing a Special Economic Zone. Therefore, the Tahsildar, U Kothapally Mandal, East Godavari District, the fourth respondent in W.P.No.18069 of 2008, issued notice, dated 10.11.2006, proposing to take possession of the lands indicating that the ex gratia would be paid in accordance with law. Objections were invited in this regard. The petitioners in W.P.No.9532 of 2007 on the one hand and those in W.P.No.18069 of 2008 on the other lay claim for the payment of ex gratia in respect of the lands referred to above. Both of them urge that they are entitled to be paid ex gratia in view of the assignment in their favour and possession over the lands. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for Assignments. Admittedly, the lands are owned by the Government and they were assigned in favour of different persons from time to time. The person, in whose favour there exists a valid assignment as on the date of resumption of the land, becomes entitled for payment of ex gratia. Whether the petitioners in the one writ petition, or the other, were holding valid assignment in their favour needs to be verified with reference to the relevant record. This Court cannot express any definite opinion in matters of such nature. The petitioners in both the writ petitions can approach the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kakinada with their respective claims. He, in turn, can examine the records and determine the entitlement of the parties to receive ex gratia, duly giving opportunity to both the parties. Hence, the writ petitions are disposed of, leaving it open to the petitioners to approach the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kakinada within a period of four weeks from today with necessary representations. On receiving the same, the Revenue Divisional Officer shall examine the claims with reference to the relevant records and pass appropriate orders, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of the representations. Till such time, the ex gratia for the lands shall not be paid to anyone. There shall be no order as to costs. _____________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY,J Dt:17.02.2009 kdl