The Ex Hill Zamindar and Mokasadars Samkeshema Sangam Vs the Principal Secretary

THE EX HILL ZAMINDAR AND MOKASADARS SAMKESHEMA SANGAM, VIDE REGD.NO. 9/2006 REPRESENTED BY IT'S GENERAL SECRETARY SRI PEDA BALIYARA SIMHUNI SRINIVAS, S/O. LATE SANYASI RAJU, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, BRANCH OFFICE AT DOOR NO. 1-430, MAKKUVA ROAD, SALUR, PARVATHIPURAM MANYAM DISTRICT.

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...PETITIONER

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AND

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1. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, TRIBAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, ANDHRAPRADESH.

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THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, PARVATHIPURAM, PARVATHIPURAM MANYAM DISTRICT.

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THE SUBCOLLECTOR/R D O, PARVATHIPURAM, PARVATHIPURAM MANYAM DISTRICT.

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THE SUBCOLLECTOR/R D O, PALAKONDA, PARVATHIPURAM MANYAM DISTRICT.

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...RESPONDENT(S):

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Counsel for the Petitioner:

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1.GORLE GOPALAKRISHNA

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Counsel for the Respondent(S):

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1.GP FOR SOCIAL WELFARE

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The Court made the following:

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ORDER:

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This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the

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Constitution of India seeking the following prayer;

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“….pleased to issue order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the inaction of the 2^nd Respondent-District Collector, Parvathipuram Manyam District in not considering the claims of the petitioner through various representations, dated 02.07.2022 and 30.06.2025 etc. filed by the petitioner Sangam relating to the Konda Dora Schedule Tribe caste Status of Salur, Belagam, Pachipenta etc., Ex-Hill Zamindari Families on par with Kurukpam and Merangi Hill Zamindaries families and acting with discrimination attitude as Ex-faci illegal, unjustified, arbitrary and illegal”.

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Grievance of the petitioner Sangam is that Kurupam, Merangi, Salur, Belagam, Pachipenta, Andhra, and other areas are notified as Ex-Hill Zamindaries under the State laws as well as the pre and post-Constitution records. These Zamindaries presently fall within the jurisdiction of Parvathipuram Manyam District, consequent upon the formation of new districts. It is submitted that the then District Collector, Vizianagaram, conducted an elaborate enquiry into the issue relating to the social status of the Kurupam and Merangi Ex-Hill Zamindaries and concluded that they belong to the Konda Dora Scheduled Tribe. Pursuant to the said findings, notifications were issued on 21.04.2010 and 09.07.2012 affirming the same. However, during

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the pendency of the said enquiry, the then District Collector, Vizianagaram, issued instructions to all competent authorities not to issue any community certificates until the conclusion of the enquiry. Grievance of the petitioner is that, even after the enquiry was concluded and it was held that the Kurupam and Merangi ExHill Zamindari families belong to the Konda Dora Scheduled Tribe, the earlier instructions restraining the issuance of community certificates were not withdrawn.

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Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that immediately after issuance of the aforesaid Notifications, the petitioner Sangham submitted a representation to the then District Collector, Vizianagaram, on 24.03.2013. However, as there was no response from the District Collector, the petitioner Sangham filed W.P.No.27427 of 2015, and this Court, without going into the merits of the case, by order dated 10.09.2015, disposed of the said Writ Petition, directing the District Collector, Vizianagaram, to pass appropriate orders on the petitioner’s representation dated 24.03.2013 within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of the said order. He submits that the said representation is still pending consideration.

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Learned counsel would further submit that the petitioner Sangham again made another representation dated 02.07.2022 before 2^nd respondent, which also remained not considered. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner filed W.P.No.40380 of 2022 before this Court, and this Court directed 2^nd respondent to act in accordance with the earlier orders passed in W.P.No.27427 of 2015. He submits that despite the said directions, no action was taken for several years. Consequently, the petitioner submitted another representation on 16.02.2025 and in pursuance thereof, 2^nd respondent issued Letter No. R.C.391/2025/C dated 04.04.2025, advising all Sub-Collectors and Tahsildars, including the petitioner, to attend a meeting scheduled on 26.04.2025. However, the said meeting was not conducted. The petitioner Sangham made another representation on 30.06.2025 in public grievance programme and in pursuance to the same, 2^nd respondent issued another letter No.R.C.391/2025/C2/dated 06.08.2025 directing all Sub-Collectors including the petitioner, to attend a meeting scheduled on 26.08.2025. However, the said meeting was also not conducted.

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5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Tribal Welfare

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too concurs with the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner.

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In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, Respondent No.2 is directed to consider the representations, dated 02.07.2022 and 30.06.2025 made by the petitioner, conduct the meeting and process the issuance of certificates to the eligible members in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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