Heard learned counsel for the petitioners.
The contention raised is that the approval granted by the Tahsildar is valid, inasmuch as, under the amended provisions which existed between the year 2002 and 23.8.2004, the Tahsildar was authorized to approve the grant of lease.
Learned counsel has produced both the notifications before the Court.
The notification which has been brought about and published on 23.8.2004 clearly recites that it comes into effect immediately.
Keeping in view the provisions of the General Clauses Act and the consent given by the Governor on 20th August, 2004, the notification comes into effect in the mid night of 22/23.8.2004. The notification therefore took away the power from the Tahsildar and conferred it on the Collector. In such a situation, the Tahsildar had no authority in law to grant approval to the lease as on 23.08.2004. The findings so recorded in the impugned orders are clearly to the same effect and I do not find any infirmity in the same.
There is no merit in this writ petition and the same is dismissed.
Order Date :- 19.7.2011 Akv