K.K. SASIDHARAN,J.
The petitioner submitted application before the Revenue Divisional Officer, Villupuram requesting to issue Community Certificate to his children indicating that they belong to "Hindu-Kaatunaicken", which is a notified Scheduled Tribe Community. Since follow up action was not taken by the Revenue Divisional Officer, the petitioner was constrained to file this writ petition.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader on behalf of the respondent.
3. The application of the petitioner was received by the respondent on 22 May 2016. The respondent appears to have not taken any action thereafter, either to issue a Certificate or to reject the application on merits. We are therefore, of the view that the issue requires consideration by the respondent.
4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Villupuram, the respondent herein is directed to consider and dispose of the application submitted by the petitioner for Community Certificate on merits and as per law. Such exercise shall be completed on or before 16 July 2017.
5. We make it clear that this direction is issued on account of the pendency of the application since long and it should not be construed to be an expression of opinion on the merits of the matter. In short, the application, should be decided in accordance with law and in the light of the settled legal principles in the matter governing the issuance of Scheduled Tribe Certificate.
(K.K.SASIDHARAN.,J.) (M.DHANDAPANI.,J.) 29 June 2017 gms To The Revenue Divisional Officer Thirukovilur Taluk 650 757, Villupuram District.
K.K.SASIDHARAN, J.
and M.DHANDAPANI, J.
gms/dna W.P.No.15337 of 2017 29.06.2017