Gram Panchayat, Village Jodhewal vs Director Rural Development and Panchayat Punjab and others

Rajive Bhalla, J.—The petitioner''s grievance, simplicitor, is that the District Development and Panchayat Officer-cum-Collector, exercising powers under the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ''the 1961 Act''), has refused to entertain a petition, filed u/s 7 of the 1961 Act, by the Gram Panchayat, on the premise that as a result of order dated 29.05.2012, by a Division Bench of this court in CRM No. 23125 of 2011 in/and CRM No. M-49595 of 2007; and CWP Nos. 1973, 3536, 3537, 3538 and 3539 of 2010, he cannot entertain such a petition. We have heard counsel for the petitioner, perused the paper book but are unable to discern any prohibition relating to petitions u/s 7 of the 1961 Act. We, therefore, grant liberty to the petitioner to present the application, u/s 7 of the 1961 Act, before the District Development and Panchayat Officer-cum-Collector, exercising powers under the 1961 Act, for due consideration, in accordance with law.

Disposed of accordingly.