Kerala High Court Slams Officials For Mechanical Paddy-Land Conversion Orders

The Kerala High Court criticised Revenue Divisional Officers for issuing “copy-paste” and non-speaking orders while deciding applications seeking conversion of land classified as paddy land under the 2008 Rules.

The Court observed that nearly 90% of such orders were identical in wording, revealing a mechanical exercise with no independent reasoning.

The Court held that public officers are duty-bound to apply their minds, provide reasons, and avoid blindly approving pre-drafted formats.

Finding the impugned order to be a stereotyped template, the Court imposed a cost of ₹10,000 on the officer concerned and cautioned that future cryptic and unreasoned orders would attract similar penalties.

[Vinumon v District Collector & Ors.]