Kancharla Lakshmi Narayana v. Union of India

ORDER The petitioner states that the property situated in T.S.No.A/8/16/4 and T.S.No.A/8/14/2 comprised in Mettacur, Yanam, Puducherry, fell to his share pursuant to a partition deed dated 14.10.2009 registered under Document No.434 of 2009 on the file of the Sub Registrar of Yanam. This property had been purchased through three documents in the year 1981. Thereafter, a partnership firm put up a par boiled and raw rice mill. The lands were classified as industrial zone. With the business of rice mill having closed down and on account of development of the property abetting the same, the petitioner gave a representation to the second respondent seeking reclassification of the land. The Chief Town Planner had responded that the request for reclassification will be considered at the time of formulating the comprehensive development plan for Yanam. As the same had not been considered, the petitioner filed a Writ Petition in W.P.No.11989 of 2018. Despite the direction given by this Court on

23.04.2019, the petitioner's land continued to be classified as 'industrial'.

¶2The petitioner states that there has been rapid development of the area with residential colonies having sprouted up in the neighbourhood. There being no industrial activity, he did not want the property to be a burden and renewed his request for reclassification. Page2 of 4

¶3As the matter was pending before the authorities for nearly eleven years, he is before this Court by way of the present writ petition.

¶4I heard Mr.S.Venkata Krishna Kumar for the petitioner and Ms.V.Usha for the respondents.

¶5Ms.Usha states that the proposal for reclassification has been considered in terms of Section 17 of the Puducherry Town and Country Planning Act, 1969. The Planning Authority of Yanam has reclassified Town Survey No.14/2 and 16/4 as 'mixed commercial zone'. This decision was taken on 13.01.2026 and has been forwarded for appropriate action to the Government of Puducherry. She states that the third respondent has completed its task and now it is up to the first respondent to issue notification. She states that the notification would be issued within a period of three months from today (25.02.2026). The statement is recorded.

¶6This writ petition is disposed. No costs. 25-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Maya Page3 of 4

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J. Maya To

1.The Government of Puducherry, Rep. by its Chief Secretary, Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry-605 001

2.The Chief Town Planner Town and country Planning Department, Jawahar Nagar, Bhoomianpet, Reddiarpalayam, Puducherry-605 005

3.The Member Secretary Yanam Planning Authority, Yanam, Puducherry UT-533 464 25-02-2026 Page4 of 4

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 25-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN Kancharla Lakshmi Narayana D.No.4-8-014, Subrahmanya Bharathi Street, Yanam-Puducherry UT-533 464 ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1.Union of India The Government of Puducherry, Rep. by its Chief Secretary, Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry-605 001 2.The Chief Town Planner Town and country Planning Department, Jawahar Nagar, Bhoomianpet, Reddiarpalayam, Puducherry-605 005 3.The Member Secretary Yanam Planning Authority, Yanam, Puducherry UT-533 464 ..Respondent(s) Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1-3 (one to three) to pass necessary orders to reclassify the land zone owned and enjoyed by our family since 1981 from industrial Zone into Commercial cum Residential Zone, measuring about Acres 2.05 cents being part of the larger extent of land H-3.A-05.C-30 comprised in T.S. No.A/8/16/4 and A/8/14/2 situate in Industrial Zone, Mettacur, Yanam, Puducherry UT For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Venkata Krishna Kumar For Respondent(s): Ms.V.Usha, Additional Government Pleader (P) Page1 of 4