THE HON'BLE Ms. JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No.14335 of 1996 Date: 19-09-2006 Between: Smt. Chinthalapudi Lakshmikanthamma and nine others. ..... PETITIONERS AND The District Collector, Krishna, Machilipatnam and two others. .....RESPONDENTS THE HON'BLE Ms. JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No.14335 of 1996 O R D E R: This writ petition is filed seeking a declaration that the alleged action of the respondents in preventing the petitioners from converting their lands into fish tanks is arbitrary and illegal and violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19(1) (g) of the Constitution of India. A Division Bench of this Court, having considered the issue relating to conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose in Madireddy Padma Rambabu v. District Forest Officer[1] held that such conversion shall not be allowed without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority. The issue involved in this writ petition is squarely covered by the ratio laid down in the said decision. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of making it clear that the petitioners are not entitled to convert the lands into fish tanks without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority. No costs. ______________ G. ROHINI, J Date:19-09-2006 KLP [1] 2002(3) ALT 57(D.B)