R.H. Zaidi, J. - (1.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Standing Counsel and also perused the record.
(2.) By means of this petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, petitioner prays for issuance of a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the opposite parties to get the maps printed as required under the Consolidation Manual and to supply the same to the departments as early as possible. Prayer for direction to the opposite parties either to print the maps or to get the maps printed through some other sources as early as possible on war footing, has also been made.
(3.) The grievance of the petitioner appears to be that the maps, which are necessary for demarcating tire land and the soil, as required under the U.P. Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1953, for short 'the Act', have not been printed by the authorities and are not available. According to the petitioner, respondent No. 3 is responsible to get the maps in question printed within the reasonable time and to ensure supply to each and every district, tehsil and headquarters as well as at block level. The said maps are also required to be supplied to the irrigation department and other departments of the Government dealing with the land. On payment of requisite fee, the maps may also be supplied to the farmers, if they apply for the same. In this regard two Government Orders are also alleged to have been issued, copies of which contained in Annexure Nos. 1 and 2. The said Government Orders are said to have been withdrawn subsequently by the Government and a fresh Government Order is stated to have been issued on 21.7.2001. It has been stated that inspite of repeated requests and demands raised by various authorities the maps as required under the law have not been printed on account of which the farmers were suffering irreparable loss. Hence the present petition.;