IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON FRIDAY, THE 11TH MARCH 2011 / 20TH PHALGUNA 1932 WP(C).No. 7671 of 2011(H) ------------------------- PETITIONERS: --------------- 1. T.C.MUTHU, AGED 60 YEARS, S/O. THEETHAN, ERAVAKKATTU KALAM, CHITLANCHERY, PALAKKAD DIST. 2. R.VIJAYAN, AGED 55 YEARS, S/O. RAGHAVAN, "LAKSHMI", MILMA ROAD, KALLEPULLY, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. BY ADV. MR. T.RAMPRASAD UNNI RESPONDENTS: --------------- THE GEOLOGIST, MINING AND GEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, PALAKKAD-678 001. BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT PLEADER MR. P. NARAYANAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 11/03/2011, ALONG WITH W.P.(C) 7672 OF 2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON J. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ W.P (C) Nos. 7671 & 7672 OF 2011 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dated, this the 11th day of March, 2011 JUDGMENT The petitioners in both these cases have got a common grievance. The case of the petitioners is that, no 'No objection Certificate' is required from the District Collector, as per the relevant provisions of the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1967 for digging up or renovation of ponds or wells or tanks in order store the water for irrigation, agriculture etc. It is stated that, the petitioners have approached the respondent by filing Ext. P1 application in this regard. The delay in acting upon Ext. P1, is stated as causing much loss and hardships to the petitioners, which made them to approach this Court, by filing the present Writ Petitions. 2. Heard the learned Government Pleader as well. In the above circumstances, the respondent is directed to consider and pass appropriate orders on Ext. P1 in accordance with law, after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within 'six weeks' from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. W.P. (C) No. 7671 & 7672 of 2011 2 It is made clear that, this Court does not express anything with regard to the merits involved in this case, which is left open. The Writ Petition is disposed of. P. R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, JUDGE kmd