JANAKI TRADERS Vs. DISTRICT REVENUE OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

(2.) The petitioner had purchased the petition mentioned property in the year 2011. A copy of the registered sale deed dated 30.12.2011 has also been enclosed. It appears that the property has been classified as "Kattukuthagai" in the revenue records. After the purchase by the petitioner, he applied to the authority concerned to reclassify the land as "Ryotwari Punjai". An application to this effect was also submitted. But then, no orders were passed. Therefore, the petitioner moved the Madras High Court by filing W.P. No.2222 of 2014. By order dated 27.01.2014, the writ petition was disposed of and the petitioner was directed to give a detailed representation to the Commissioner of Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai. Pursuant to the direction given by this Court, the Additional Chief Secretary/Commissioner of Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai, by order dated 14.04.2014 in Roc.K1/29575/2013 directed the District Revenue Officer, Thoothukudi, to look into the matter and examine all the land records and ensure that the correct entries are made in the village records and Taluk Computer. The District Revenue Officer was instructed to pass necessary orders on the petitioner's request within three months from the date of receipt of that order.

(3.) The petitioner's counsel specifically states that till date no order has been passed by the District Revenue Officer, Thoothukudi, even though several years have lapsed. In the meanwhile, the second respondent, namely, the Commissioner of Thoothukudi Corporation had raised a demand calling upon the petitioner to pay the Property Tax to the tune of Rs.8,64,048/- for the years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The petitioner's counsel on instructions without prejudice to his contentions is willing to remit a sum of Rs.1,00,000/-(Rupees One Lakh only) to the second respondent Corporation. This amount shall be remitted to the second respondent Corporation within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.