HUBLI DHARWAD URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Vs. VIDYARANYA SANGHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) Common question of law and fact is involved in these three appeals and they are being disposed of by this common order. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and examined the record. Both the learned Single Judge and the division bench of the High court opined that once exemption is granted under Section 20 of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, it was not permissible for any other authority to require the exemptee to obtain an order of conversion of that land for non-agricultural purposes. In taking this view, the court was influenced by the fact that the power under Section 20 of the Act could be exercised only if the land in question was urban land.

(3.) Section 20 (1 (b) unmistakably shows that if any person holds vacant land in excess of the ceiling limit and satisfies the government regarding hardship then the exemption may be applied for and the government can grant exemptions.