THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No.14451 of 2010 ORDER: This Writ Petition can be disposed of at this stage in view of the averments made in the counter-affidavit. 2. The writ petitioners have filed this Writ Petition seeking Mandamus declaring the inaction on the part of the 2nd respondent in not disposing of the petition bearing S.R.No.323/11(a)/76 filed by them, as illegal. 3. The Joint Collector, Chittor has filed a detailed counter-affidavit in the matter. In para No.4 thereof, it is stated that it is a fact that the earlier Settlement Officer-cum-Joint Collector has heard the matter and reserved it for orders, but before the orders could be pronounced, he was transferred. Hence, the present incumbent Joint Collector-cum- Settlement Officer has issued notices but could not effectively serve them on the petitioners. 4. The reasons assigned for this failure are strictly disputed by the learned counsel for the petitioners. Be that as it may, towards the end of the para 4 in counter-affidavit, the Joint Collector has indicated that the next date of hearing was fixed as 7.1.2012. 5. Sri P.V.Vidyasagar, learned counsel for the petitioners assures that the petitioners would be present before the Joint Collector on 7.1.2012. 6. In these circumstances, it is appropriate to direct the Settlement Officer-cum-Joint Collector, Chittoor, to finalise the proceedings by completing the hearing on 7.1.2012. If, for any reason, the hearing could not be completed on 7.1.2012, the same may be posted to any other date that would be convenient to him, but the said date may be intimated to the petitioners on 7.1.2012 itself by obtaining their signatures on record. I further direct the Settlement Officer-cum-Joint Collector, Chittoor to finalise the entire proceedings as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two months from 7.1.2012 and communicate his decision to the petitioners by registered post with acknowledgment due at the address furnished by them on 7.1.2012. 7. With the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. _______________________________ NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO,J Date:23.12.2011. Gk. THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No.14451 of 2010 Date:23.12.2011 Gk.