NAVIN SINGH Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This application has been filed for issuance of an appropriate writ for quashing the order dated 6.4.1997 whereby the Collector had published the estimated minimum value of the land.

(2.) Short facts giving rise to the present application are that the petitioners are the residents of village Parsa in the town of Patna and they possess land in that village. The Collector, Patna, by his order dated 6.4,1997 (Annexure-1), estimated the value of the agricultural as also the homestead lands of village Parsa and other villages falling within the district of Patna. The valuation so-fixed was to be made effective from 10th of September, 1997. According to the order, the valuation of homestead and agricultural land of village Parsa was determined at Rs. 5619/- and Rs. 1333/- per katha respectively. It is the stand of the petitioners that the Collector has no such power to determine the value of the land.

(3.) Mr. Pramod Kumar Singh appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that such a power vested in the State Government, which would be evident from Section 78(a) of the Registration Act, hereinafter referred to as the Act and as such, the Collector lacks jurisdiction to fix the minimum value of the land. He points out that the Collector cannot be equated with that the State Government.