IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 18TH FEBRUARY 2008 / 29TH MAGHA 1929 WP(C).No. 3305 of 2008(R) ------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------- P.CHANDRIKA DEVI,"KRISHNAJYOTHI" ERAMALLOOR P.O., CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.D.SOMASUNDARAM RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. EZHUPUNNA GRAMA PANCHAYATH, CHERTHALA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY ERAMALLOOR P.O., CHERTHALA,ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT. 2. CHAIRMAN, FINANCE COMMITTEE EZHUPUNNA GRAMA PANCHAYATH, ERAMALLOOR P.O., CHERTHALA,ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.P.N.PURUSHOTHAMA KAIMAL, SC. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 21/02/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN, J. ------------------------------- W.P(C) No. 3305 OF 2008 ----------------------------------- Dated this the 18th day of February, 2008 JUDGMENT This Writ Petition is filed complaining that Ext.P4 appeal filed before the finance committee of the 1st respondent on the question of assessment of property tax, has not been considered. Ext.R1(a) is placed on record by respondent stating that instead of the finance committee, the Panchayat committee itself took up the appeal and unanimously reduced the tax by 25%. It is also pointed out that acting on Ext.R1(a), petitioner made remittance as evidenced by Ext.R1(b). The fact remains that the petitioner was not heard by the finance committee or by the panchayat committee. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, the mere deduction by 25% is grossly inadequate and the tax now levied is not comparable with similar buildings of the locality. In the aforesaid circumstances, this Writ Petition is disposed of directing that keeping Ext.R1(a) decision as a tentative one , the finance committee will give an opportunity to the petitioner, of being heard and a final decision will be taken on the appeal WPC No. 3305 OF 2008 2 regarding the property tax to be levied for the buildings in question within an outer limit of four months of the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN, JUDGE ttb WPC No. 3305 OF 2008 3