1 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 14.09.2011 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUDHAKAR W.P.(MD)No.3438 of 2011 R.Lakshmanan ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Land Survey and Settlement, Survey House, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005. ... Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 03.10.2010 and acknowledged by the respondents on 06.10.2010 on merits and in accordance with law within a specified time frame that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner ... Mr.S.Visvalingam For Respondents ... Mr.M.Govindan, Special Govt. Pleader ORDER This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner to issue a writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 03.10.2010 and acknowledged by the respondents on 06.10.2010 on merits and in accordance with law within a specified time frame that may be fixed by this Court. 2. Heard Mr.S.Visvalingam, learned Counsel for the petitioner and Mr.M.Govindan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents. 3. By consent, the writ petition itself is taken up for final disposal. 4. The grievance of the petitioner is that he has been assigned certain lands in the year 1965 and has been paying certain amounts as https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 2 ground rent. The petitioner has made a representation for assessment of the land for the purpose of fixing the ground rent on 03.10.2010 and that has been addressed to the first respondent. 5. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents objects to the same stating that the competent authority will be the Settlement Officer at Kovilpatti who along will be authorised to deal with the claim of the petitioner. 6. In view of the above, the petitioner is given liberty to make an appropriate representation to the second respondent with all proper records and documents and seek appropriate relief and on such representation is being made, the second respondent shall dispose of the same within a period of twelve weeks from the date of such application if the same is otherwise in order, on its own merits and in accordance with law. If any third party will be affected by the nature of the relief sought for by the petitioner, the authority shall hear such person to avoid the allegations of violation of principles of natural justice. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case and the authority concerned is free to deal with the matter on its own merit as per law. 7. The writ petition is disposed of as above. No costs. rsb Sd/- Assistant Registrar[T&P] /True copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To: 1.The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Land Survey and Settlement, Survey House, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005. W.P.(MD)No.3438 of 2011 Dated:14/09/2011 2P/3C RPB : 12.10.2011 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/