THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE C.V. RAMULU W.P. No. 1618 of 2008 O R D E R: Petitioner is the Gram Panchayat, Tatapudi, Kapileswarapuram Mandal, East Godavari District. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner-Gram Panchayat as well as 5th respondent – Gram Panchayat are located adjacent to each other on the ‘Gowthami Left Bank’. There is some dispute as to sharing of seigniorage fee collected from the sand quarry operators from 2006-07 onwards. It appears, the Sub-Collector, Rajahmundry conducted some enquiry and called for report from the Deputy Inspector of Survey. Upon receipt of report from Deputy Inspector of Survey, Rajahmundry, the Sub-Collector, Rajahmundry addressed letter dated 8.3.2007 to the District Collector, East Godavari, Kakinada, which reads as under: “In this regard, the Collector, East Godavari District, Kakinada forwarded the representation to the District Panchayat Officer, Kakinada for taking necessary action. The Sub-Collector, Rajahmundry called for the report of the Deputy Inspector of Survey, Rajahmundry in the matter. In the reference 2nd cited, the Deputy Inspector of Survey, Rajahmundry has reported that he has inspected the land in question and his enquiry reveals that from 28/200 to 28/400 mileages, the Irrigation Department has put in auction for sand ramps previously, at present there is water in Godavari and the Irrigation Department extended to mileage from 25/0 to 25/200 and issued revised orders. As such, the Sarpanch and other members of Tatapudi village asked apportionment of seigniorage to their panchayat, as verified from records the river Godavari is in the southern side to Tatapuri village and Tatapudi village situated south and eastern side to the Kapileswarapuram village and Godavari is on the southern side. The newly formed ramp way for sand in R.S. No. 187 & 405 of Kapileswarapuram village and 125 to 134 of Tatapudi village. The said lanka lands of Tatapudi village were assigned on pattas. The sand extraction land situated near to the Adi Andhra colony of Tatapudi village and recorded as Gowthami Godavari river land belongs to both Kapileswarapuram village and Tatapudi village of Kapileswarapuram Mandal. Finally, the Deputy Inspector of Survey, Rajahmundry has reported that the sand being extracting in the reach belongs to both Kapileswarapuram village limits & Tatapudi village limits and the seigniorage of sand may be apportioned to both villages. In view of the above circumstances, I hereby recommend for apportionment of the said seigniorage of sand between Kapileswarapuram village & Tatapudi village”. The grievance of the petitioner is that the seigniorage fee collected for quarrying of sand in both the reaches of these Gram Panchayats is sought to be disbursed in favour of 5th respondent. Therefore, he filed the present writ petition and while admitting the writ petition, interim stay as prayed for was granted. The matter is pending even as on today. Under those circumstances, without expressing any opinion on merits, 1st respondent – District Collector is directed to look into the letter addressed by the Sub-Collector, Rajahmundry vide Ref.C/508/2007 dated 8.3.2007 and pass appropriate orders, as per law, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Order. Till such time, status quo existing as on today shall be maintained. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No order as to costs. JUSTICE C.V. RAMULU. Date: 29-11-2010. MVB.