HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. *** CWP No. 7084 of 2007. Date of Decision: September 22, 2008. *** Lt. Col. Naresh Ghai Vs. State of Punjab and others. *** CORAM: Hon'ble Mr. Justice T.S.Thakur, CJ and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant. *** Present: None for the petitioner. Shri Amol Rattan Singh, Addl: A.G.Punjab. Shri Namit Kumar, Advocate, for respondents No. 2 and 3. Shri K.S.Sidhu, Sr. Advocate, with Shri G.S.Sidhu, Advocate, for respondent No.5. *** No one appears for the petitioner. Mr. Amol Rattan Singh, counsel for respondents No. 1 to 4 points out that the present writ petition filed in public interest, seeks a mandamus directing the respondents for prohibiting transplantation of paddy before 15th of June and nursery before 15th of May to prevent depletion of Sub Soil Water. He submits that the apprehension of the petitioner is completely allayed by the promulgation of the Punjab Preservation of Sub Soil Water Ordinance, 2008 issued by the Governor of Punjab and published in the official gazette (Extra Ordinary) dated April 17, 2008. He further states that in exercise of powers vested in the Government a notification dated May 21, 2008 has been issued forbidding the farmers from sowing paddy before 15th of June. He further submits that as far as plantation of nursery is concerned under Section 3 of the Act ibid, the farmers are forbidden from sowing nursery before 10th of May. In the circumstances therefore, and keeping in view the -2- CWP No. 70874 of 07. subsequent developments mentioned above, we see no reason to keep this petition pending on our board. The writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of as infructuous. No costs. (T.S.THAKUR) CHIEF JUSTICE (SURYA KANT) JUDGE September 22, 2008 Malik