* IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH :: AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) TUESDAY, THE TWENTY NINETH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION NO: 9507 OF 2025 Between: M. Harshavardhan, S/o Shankara Rao, Aged about 31 years, Occ- Lab Technician, R/o D.No. 907, Main Road, Velerupadu Village and Mandal, Eluru District. ...Petitioner AND 1. The State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Principal Secretary(irrigation) Department, Secretariat Buildings,. Velagapudi, Guntur District. 2. The District Collector, Eluru-, .District. 3. The Sub-Collector, Kukunoor^.Eluru District. 4. The Commissioner, R and R Scheme, OPP- Andhra Hospitals, ! Gollapudi, Krishna District. 5. The Special Officer(SO)-Curn-Project Administrator, Rehabilitation and Re-settlement, Polavararn National Project, ITDA, K.R.Puram, Eluru District. 6. The Tahsildar, Velerupadu, Eluru District. 7. The Village Revenue Officer, Vplairpadu, Repakagommu, Eluru District. ...Respondents Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue appropriate \A/rit, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of the respondents No.2 to 6 rejection of Rehabilitation and Resettlement package to the petitioners as Non-Resident through proceedings No.ROC No.351/2023(DT), dated 23-11- 2023andgrievance endorsement No. R.No. 1213/2024/H, dated 08-11- 2024 as illegal, arbitrary against principles laid , I down in Act No.30 of 2013, Disaster Management and consequently direct respondents to consider the petitioners name for granting ‘ ‘ Rehabilitation and Resettlement package as per package announced under heavy flood in Godavari River by considering the documents. the ■r' / lA NO: 1 OF 2025 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the respondents No.2 to 7 without settlement of Rehabilitation and Resettlement package of under heavy floods in Godavari River to the petitioner as per Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Disaster Management, pending disposal of the above writ petition. Counsel for the Petitioner: SRI SOMISETTY GANESH BABU Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR IRRIGATION AND CAD Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR LAND ACQUISITION The Court made the following order: 1 APHC010186352025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3329] TUESDAY ,THE TWENTY NINETH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION NO: 9507/2025 Between: ...PETITIONER M. Harshavardhan AND ...RESPONDENT(S) The State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others Counsel for the Petitioner: 1.SOMISETTY GANESH BABU Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1 GP FOR LAND ACQUISITION 2.GP FOR IRRI ANDCAD 2 ’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENAKTESWARLU NIMMAGADDA the hon WRIT PETITION NO.9507 of 2025 niade the following This Court ORDER Writ Petition is filed by the petitioner, under Article 226 of the of India, seeking the following relief; This Constitution direction more particularly one in the appropriate writ, order of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents Nos.2 of Rehabilitation and Resettlement package to the petitioner „on-resident through proceedings No.ROC No.351/2023(DT), dated ^*,1 2023 and grievance endorsement No.R.No.1213/2024/H, dated 1 9024 as illegal, arbitrary against principles laid down in Act No.30 of ’Disaster Management and consequently direct the respondents to ^ iHer the petitioner’s name for granting Rehabilitation and Resettlement as per package announced under heavy flood in Godavari River by ‘^Qf^sidering the documents and pass..” or to issue nature of Writ 0 rejection to pa when the matter is taken up for consideration, learned counsel Today the collectively covered by of 2020 2. and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue submitted that, the issue involved in this Writ Petition is squarely ] for the order of this Court dated 24.08.2021 in Writ Petition No.11333 record and prayed to pass order on the same lines. ^^^ich is placed on / / 3 \ A 3. Taking into consideration the submissions of both the learned counsel and following the above said order and for the reasons recorded therein, this Writ Petition also stands disposed of in terms of the order passed in Writ Petition No. 11333 of 2020. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is allowed by setting aside the rejection order in R.No.1213//2024/H, dated 08.11.2024 under Rehabilitation and Resettlement package to the petitioner and consequently the 6"" respondent is directed to pass reasoned order afresh, within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioner by considering the documents submitted by the petitioner, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order. No costs. 4. 5. Registry is directed to append a copy of the order in Writ Petition No. 11333 of 2020 to this order. As a sequel, interlocutory applications if any pending, shall stand closed. Sd/- K KASIRAO ACHARl GI^RAR SECTION OFFICER ASSISTANT //TRUE COPY// To, 1. The Principal Secretary(lrrigatibn) Department, Pradesh, Secretariat Buildings, Velagapudi, Guntur District. 2. The District Collector, Eluru, District. 3. The Sub-Collector, Kukunoori Eluru District. 4. The Commissioner, R and R Scheme, OPP- Andhra Hospitals, Gollapudi, Krishna District. 5. The Special Officer(SO)-Cum-Pro]ect Administrator, Rehabilitation and Re-settlement, Polavaram National Project, ITDA, K.R.Puram, Eluru District. A ' 6. The Tahsildar, Velerupadu, Eluru District. 7. The Village Revenue Officer, Velairpadu, Repakagommu, Eluru District. 8. One CG to Sri Somisetty Ganesh Babu, Advocate [OPUC] 9 Two CCs to GP for Irrigation & CAD, High Court of Andhra Pradesh. [OUT] Two CCs to GP for Land Acquisition, High Court of Andhra Pradesh. [OUT] 10. 11. Two CD Copies RAM (Along with Copy of Order in Writ Petition No.11333 of 2020) i 1 high court I ! DATED:29/04/2025 c 16 JUN 2025 . Current Secuon ^ ORDER WP.No.9507 of 2025 a ALLOWING THE WP WITHOUT COSTS THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE M.SATYANARAYANA MURTHY WRIT PETITION No. 11333 OF 2020 ORDER: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India claiming relief against the same respondents to declare the Rehabilitation and Resettlement package to the rejection of petitioners on the ground of Non-Residents, as illegal and arbitrary, and against the principles laid down under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (for short “the Act 30 of 2013) and consequently direct the respondents to accord the scheme of Rehabilitation and Resettlement package to the petitioners as affected under the Polavaram Project at Kukunoor Village. The petitioners are the owners of the land in Kukunoor Village, acquired for Polavaram project. The Government formulated scheme called as Rehabilitation and Resettlement the same was Package (for short “RR package”) for those who are affected in any land acquisition, as per the guidelines and the Act 30 of 2013. The said scheme is extended to all those who are resident of Kukunoor affected due to the land village and other villages which are acquisition in the Polavaram Irrigation Project and similarly the petitioners are also affected in the said project along with other residents of Kukunoor village. Respondent No.5 herein has released the list of such affected families and the names of the petitioners who are shown from Serial Nos.283 to 287, and in the column of “remarks after field verification” it is shown asnon-resident rejected^’. The scheme is meant for those who are actually affected in the village due to the land acquisition and dislocation from the MSM J '^P-"333_2S 2 village and the petitioners are ,he sai, 3che„.e. ■■«-de„t3 of Kukunoor v,- petitioners household besides are the The permanent '^^^age hoJdi supply card, possessing Aadhar ng paying property '^ax to the local and the ^0.3, but Government petitioners \ Gard, Voter Jd \ submitted considering the relevant documents to ^otaiy evidence rehabilitation act of respondent 'Without record by the docum placed petitioners, to the on tbe claim for petitioners. and resettlement respondent IVo.a i was rejected arbitrary provisions of Act 30 such and violative IS illegal, of principles of natural ijustice and of 2013. during hearing, learned while drawi family’ under counsel for the ing the clause (m) the petitioners reiterated l^bis Court contentions definition of attention of of Section to the 2013, 3 of the Act as such the with or without 30 of petitioners are adult m, - rnembers of or dependents < either gender considered thereby also drawn spouse children or - shall be Act 30 of 2013, package. He has as a separate family for entitled to claim cf this Court authorities the purpose of the benefits of Rp to Sectio they are the attention n 15 of the Act 30 of objections from notified ^013, but contend that the 2013 to are required to hear has been person interested i section (1) of objections any Under sub- in any land which Section 11 of the Act 30 of '^ere called for required under Section r>o such respondent No.3 and considered by as 15 of the Act 30 of 2013, committed requested to an error in aside the order Ihe benefits of petitioners. rejecting the claim of the petitioner and rejection and direct rehabilitation set the respondent No.3 to extend project to the and resettlement of the MSM,J WP 11333 2020 3 Respondent No.6/Tahsildar filed counter affidavit, denying material allegations, inter alia, contending that, the petitioners earlier resided in D.No.2-117, Kukunoor Village and Mandal, West Godavari District and at the time of field enquiry of R&R Grievances held by the field staff of Tahsildar’s office, Kukunoor in the month of December, 2019 and January, 2020, since the door was locked and the petitioners were not available for enquiry even after repeated field visits by the enquiry team. Further, the burden of proof lies on the petitioners that they are eligible for rehabilitation and resettlement package in accordance with Act 30 of 2013. It is further submitted that, the writ petitioners were not available for field enquiry held in December, 2019 and January, 2020. The details of enquiry held by the Tahsildar, Kukunoor are available in the online website maintained for RSsR Grievances and it is open to the petitioners to access the online data to view their status of the grievance petitions. However, the petitioners may file appeal before the R St R Officer and Project Officer, I.T.D.A., K.R Puram - the first Appellate Authority and the Project Administrator, second appellate authority against the PIP, Rajamahendravaram rejection orders issued by the Tahsildar, Kukunoor and the RSsR Officer respectively. Hence, the writ petition is not maintainable on the ground that the petitioners did not avail the appellate remedy provided under the Act and filing a writ'petition is nothing but abuse of process of law and on this ground also, respondents sought to dismiss the writ petition and finally requested to dismiss the writ petition. \ MSM,J WP_I1333 2020 4 Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Land Acquisition contended that the petitioners are not residents of Kukunoor Village, which is a submergible area under the Polavaram Project to claim benefit of RR package. When the petitioners are not residents of D.No.2-117 of Kukunoor Village during enumeration, they are not entitled to claim benefits of the Act 30 of 2013. Apart from that the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Water Resources (R&R) Department issued \ clarification for extending RR scheme m Memo.No.450483/R&R-A2/2017-l, dated 18,05.2017 that as per Section 3 (c) (i) of the Act 30 of 2013 “affected famil}^ includes a family whose land or other immovable property has been acquired and the affected family can be declared as Project Affected Family (for short “PAF”) even though the family is not doing agriculture and not depending on agriculture for their livelihood and not residing in the affected area. As per Section 16 (2) of the Act, tihe Administrator shall based on the survey and census under section (1), prepare a draft Rehabilitation and Resettlement Scheme, as prescribed which shall include particulars of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement entitlements of each land owner and landless whose livelihood is primarily dependent on the land being acquired and where resettlement of affected families is involved. In view of the said provision the head of the family (land owner) in affected area only can be treated as PAF, his wife, major sons and major daughters cannot be treated as separate PAF. Therefore, ttie petitioners are not entitled to claim benefits of RR scheme and requested to dismiss the petition. It is the case of the petitioners that they are residents of Kukunoor Village and they are major members of the family, thereby they are also entitled to claim benefit of R&R package and the list of MSM,J WP_11333^2020 5 beneficiaries is published by Respondent No.5 and the names of the petitioners are shown from Serial Nos.283 to 287. The benefits of the scheme were rejected to the petitioners on the ground that they are non-residents. Considering rival contentions, perusing the material available on record, the point that arises for consideration is: Whether the petitioners being the major members of affected family are entitled to claim benefit of Rehabilitation and Resettlement scheme in terms of Act 30 of 2013?” C( P OIN .T There is no dispute that the petitioners are major members of the family. But whether they are members of the affected family is to be determined while deciding their entitlement to claim benefits of the scheme. Section 3 (c) defined the word “affected family”, which is as follows: Section 3 (c) ‘affected family” includes— a family whose land or other immovable property has been (i) acquired; a family which does not own any land but a member or members of such family may be a^icultural labourers, tenants including any form of tenancy or holding of usufruct right, share croppers or artisans or who may be working in the affected area for three years prior to the acquisition of the land, whose primary of livelihood stand affected by the acquisition of land; the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have lost any of their forest rights recognised under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007) due to acquisition of land; family whose primary source of livelihood for three years prior to the acquisition of the land is dependent on forests or water bodies and includes gatherers of forest produce, hunters, fisher folk and boatmen and such livelihood is affected due to acquisition of land; (ii! source (iii) (iv) MSM,J WP_II333_2020 6 (V) a member of the family who has been . assigned land by the State Government or the Central Government under any of its schemes and such land is under acquisition; a family residing on any land in the urbari areas for preceding three years or more prior to the acquisition of the land or whose primary source of livelihood for three years prior to the acquisition of the land is affected by the acquisition of such land;” (Vi) \ For the purpose of extending benefit, the definition of family under clause (m) of Section 3 of the Act 30 of 2013 must necessarily be adverted. The word family is defined under clause (m) of Section 3 of the Act 30 of 2013, which is as follows: “(m) “family” includes a person, his or her spouse, minor children, minor brothers and minor sisters dependent on hirti:' Provided that widows, divorcees and families shall be considered separate families. ' Explanation. An adult of either gender with or without spouse or children or dependents shall be considered family for the purposes of this Act” ■ ;: women deserted by as a separate The word “family” as defined includes only persons and their spouses, including minor children, minor brothers and minor sisters. Thus, it excludes major members of the . family as they are constituted as independent family for the purpose of claiming benefits under the Act in terms of explanation to clause (m) of Section 3 of the Act 30 of 2013. The petitioners being majors having obtained Aadhar card, household supply card, voter identity card claiming to be residents of same village were denied the benefits of scheme. But the reason for denial is the clarification issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Water Resources (R&R) Department for extending RR scheme in Memo.No.450483/R&R-A2/2017-l, dated 18.05.2017. According to the clarification, “affected family” includes a family whose land or other immovable property has been acquired. In view of this provision, the family can be declared as PAF MSM,J WP_ 11333 2020 7. due to acquisition of land even minimum extent is not indicated. But this clarification is contraiy to the explanation to clause (m) of Section 3 of the Act 30 of 2013. But their claim was not rejected on as family for the on the ground that they -residents of submergible area of the village due Polavaram the ground that the petitioners cannot be treated purpose of extending benefits, but rejected non project. When the petitioners are the owners of the land or the land of the petitioners is acquired by the respondents, petitioners being major members of the same family shall be treated family in view of explanation of clause (m) of Section 3 of the of 2013 for extending benefits. Therefore, definition of family under Section 3 (c) and (m) of the Act 30 of 2013, is clear that the affected family includes as separate Act 30 con-joint reading of it a person, his or her spouse, minor children, minor brothers and minor sisters dependent on him exclusive of adult of either gender with or without spouse children, or since, the adult of either gender constitutes independent family for the purpose of this Act. Therefore each major member whose land or the land of the joint family is acquired is entitled to claim benefits under the Act, but no distinction has been drawn between the residents and non residents of the village to extend the benefits. Obviously, for the reasons best known to respondents, the claim of the petitioners for extension of benefits of rejected on the ground that they rejection on the ground that they lands are affected in RR package was are non-residents. Therefore, are non-residents though their the submergible area on account of Polavaram project is an illegality. \ MSM,J WPJ1333 2020 8 ■ > Therefore, Respondent No. 5 is directed to entire issue and decide as to their entitlement to the benefit of RR scheme and pass appropriate orders. re-examine the Though the list of beneficiaries of the scheme filed along the writ petition disclosed the reason for rejection of their claim i non residents’, but, what are the \ \ with i.e. reasons for arriving at such conclusion that the petitioners are non-residents are not known either to the petitioners or to respondent No.5. In fact, the petitioners filed voluminous documentary evidence along with the writ petition allegedly before respondent No.5 during enquiiy while hearing objections under Section 15 of the Act 30 of 2013, but they were not considered and non-speaking order was passed rejecting the claim of the petitioners. Hence, the rejection of the claim of the petitioners is contrary to the principles of natural justice as Respondent No.5 did not record any reason except one word “Non-resident rejected." Therefore, the order is against the principles of natural justice. as such this Court can interfere with such order s' as the order is bereft of reasons, while exercising power of judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The list was prepared and published by way of preliminary notification under sub-section (1) of Section 11 of the Act 30 of 2013. Section 16 of the Act 30 of 2013 deals ‘with preparation of rehabilitation and resettlement scheme by the administrator, which is as follows: “16. Preparation of Rehabilitation and Resettlement Scheme by the Administrator.-! 1) Upon the publication of the preliminary notification under sub-section (1) of section Rehabilitation and Resettlement shall conduct a survey and undertake a census of the affected families, in such manner and withiii such time as may be prescribed, which shall include— (®) particulars of lands and immovable affected family; 11 by the Collector, the Administrator for properties being acquired of each MSM,J WP_I1333 2020 9 (b) livelihoods lost in respect of land losers and landless whose livelihoods primarily dependent on the lands being acquired; (c) a list of public utilities and Government buildings which are affected or likely to be affected, where resettlement of affected families is involved; (d) details of the amenities and infrastructural facilities which are affected or likely to be affected, where resettlement of affected families is involved; and (e) details of any common property resources being acquired. (2) The Administrator shall, based on the survey and census under sub section (1), prepare a draft Rehabilitation and Resettlement Scheme, prescribed which shall include particulars of the rehabilitation and resettlement entitlements of each land owner and landless whose livelihoods are primarily dependent on the lands being acquired and where resettlement of affected families is involved— (i) a list of Government buildings to be provided in the Resettlement Area; (ii) details of the public amenities and infrastructural facilities which to be provided in the Resettlement Area. (3) The draft Rehabilitation and Resettlement scheme referred to in sub section (2) shall include time limit for implementing Rehabilitation and Resettlement Scheme. (4) The draft Rehabilitation and Resettlement scheme referred to in sub section (2) shall be made known locally by wide publicity in the affected area and discussed in the concerned Gram Sabhas or Municipalities. (5) A public hearing shall be conducted in such manner as may be prescribed, after giving adequate publicity about the date, time and venue for the public hearing at the affected area: Provided that in case where an affected area involves more than one Gram Panchayat or Municipality, public hearings shall be conducted in every Gram Sabha and Municipality where more than twenty-five per cent of land belonging to that Gram Sabha or Municipality is being acquired: Provided further that the consultation with the Gram Sabha in Scheduled Areas shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (40 of 1996). (6) The Administrator shall, on completion of public hearing submit the draft Scheme for 17 Rehabilitation and Resettlement along with a specific report on the claims and objections raised in the public hearing to the Collector.” are as are The language employed in sub-section (2) of Section 16 of the Act 30 of 2013 more particularly the words “shall include particulars of the rehabilitation and resettlement entitlements of each land owner and landless whose livelihood is primarily dependent on the lands being acquired” assumes importance for interpretation to decide the entitlement of individual major members of the same family. In view of RR package/scheme and Section 16 of the Act 30 of 2013, if the petitioners are the owners or landless poor whose livelihood is primarily agriculture, they may be entitled to claim benefits of the scheme. Chapter V deals with rehabilitation and resettlement award and specified various columns in Section 31 (2) MSM,J WP_1I333 2020 10 of the Act 30 of 2013, but this Court is not required to decide all these questions particularly about the entitlement petitioners being the owners of the land acquired and members of the affected family as discussed more of major in the earlier paragraphs. Since the order is bereft of any reasons, the order is set aside while directing Respondent No.5 to \ pass appropriate reasoned order in accordance with law and the observations made herein above are only for the limited purpose of deciding the present writ petition. In the result, writ petition is allowed- setting aside the impugned order of rejection of Rehabilitation package to the petitioners on the ground of “Non - directing Respondent No.5 to and Resettlement resident’ while pass reasoned order afresh, within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording reasonable opportunity to the petitioners, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order. No costs. Consequently, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall also stand closed. JUSTICE M. SATYANARAYANA MURTHY 24.08.2021 Note: Note: issue copy in two weeks SP