CWP No.548 of 2006 29.6.2009 Present: Mr. Sanjeev Kuthiala, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. R.K. Sharma, Senior Additional Advocate General with Mr. Rajinder Dogra, Additional Advocate General for respondents No.1 and 2. Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate for respondents No.3 to 5. Respondent No.3 has assailed the decision of Settlement Officers (Consolidation) dated 7.8.1993 and 15.12.2004 before the Additional Director (Consolidation). The Additional Director (Consolidation) allowed the appeal on 27.3.2006. A bare perusal of the order dated 27.3.2006 shows non-application of mind by the Appellate Authority. The Appellate Authority has come to an abrupt conclusion that there were ambiguities in the orders passed by the Officers. This finding could not be recorded without discussing the evidence and pleadings of the parties. He was bound to record separate reasons while coming to the conclusion that there were ambiguities in the orders dated 7.8.1993 and 15.12.2004. The order passed by the Additional Director (Consolidation) on 27.3.2006 is non-speaking. It is settled law by now that the order which has civil consequences must be reasoned/self- contained. Accordingly, the order passed by the Additional Director (Consolidation) is set aside. The learned Additional Advocate General has apprised the Court that now the jurisdiction to decide the matter lies with the Deputy Commissioner, Una. Consequently, he is directed to decide the appeal No.13/2005 afresh and pass a speaking order after hearing the parties. The parties are directed to appear before the Deputy Commissioner, Una on 14.7.2009. He shall decide the matter within a period of three months from today. With these observations, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. (Rajiv Sharma), J. June 29, 2009. (rkv)