S V SREENIVASULU Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) COMMON questions of fact and that of law arise for decision making, hence with the consent of learned Counsels for the parties, the petitions are clubbed together, finally heard and are disposed of by this common order.

(2.) THE petitioners are in possession of forest land in Bellary District to mine iron ore under registered lease deeds executed by the State of karnataka. The State Government, by letter dated 4/5. 7. 1974 imposed a lease rent of Rs. 250/- per acre (Rs. 625/- per hectare), per annum and by government Order No. FEE 52-FM-94, dated 21. 5. 1997 enhanced the lease rent to Rs. 5,000/- and in addition, imposed supervision charges at Rs. 187. 50, per year, per hectare, of the leased land. By another Government Order bearing No. APG 69-FFM-96, dated 29. 8. 1997 the lease rent was revised thus: (a) (b) (c) (d)for the first 5 years for the next 5-10 years from 10 - 15 years from 15th year onwards :rs. 1,000/-:rs. 2,000/-:rs. 3,500/-:rs. 5,000/-Guidelines in the matter of recovery of lease rents and supervision charges were in the Order No. APG 93-FFM-2001 dated 26. 6. 2003, of the state Government.

(3.) THE petitioners having paid part of the lease rent and supervision charges, under protest, led to the Deputy Conservator of Forest issuing "lease rent demand notices" calling upon the petitioners to pay the balance.