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1. This petitioner is Eguvakamma Kandriga (for short 'E-Kandriga') Gram panchayat, represented by its Sarpanch. It comprises of as many as 8 hamlets. Funds were released for construction of Gram Panchayat Office. The Panchayat had passed a resolution proposing to construct the office building at a hamlet known as Diguvakamma Kandriga (for short 'D-Kandriga). On a representation made by some villagers as well as some members of the Gram Panchayat, one of them being the 3rd respondent, the District Collector, the 1st respondent herein, passed, orders dated 12-12-2002 directing that the building be constructed at E-Kandriga. The petitioner challenges the said proceedings in this writ petition.

2. The petitioner contends that D-Kandriga is centrally located place in the Gram Panchayat and better suited for construction of Panchayat office. It is also stated that the residents of all other hamlets are in favour of construction of the office building at D-Kandriga. Gram Sabhas are said to have been held on 16-9-2002 and 3-10-2002 and that resolutions were passed for construction of the office building at D-Kandriga. The petitioner challenges the impugned proceedings on several factual and legal grounds.

3. The 3rd respondent filed a counter-affidavit denying the allegations made by the petitioner. It is stated that the main village is E-Kandriga and the question of constructing the office building in a hamlet does not arise. He has furnished facts and figures as regards population and the distance among the various hamlets of the Gram Panchayat. Placing reliance upon G.O.Ms. No. 227 dated 13-4-1995, the 3rd respondent submits that the action of the 1st respondent in passing the impugned proceedings accords with the scheme of the A.P. Panchayat Raj Act (for short 'the Act') and the Rules made thereunder.

5. Learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj and Sri. D.Seshadri Naidu, learned counsel for the 3rd respondent, on the other hand, submit that the impugned order was passed only with a view to give effect to the provisions of the Act and the Rules contained in G.O.Ms.No. 227 Panchayat Raj, dated 13-4-1995. The place reliance upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in J.R.Raghupathy v. State of Andhra Pradesh, .

6. As observed in the preceding paragraphs, the petitioner Gram Panchayat has several hamlets. Funds were released for construction of Panchayat Office. While the Gram Panchayat has resolved to construct the office at D-Kandriga, one of the hamlets, the 3rd respondent and several residents of the village, took exception to the same and approached respondents 1 and 2. They complained that the construction of the office building at D-Kandriga is contrary to several provisions of the Act and the Rules made thereunder and that it does not suit the convenience of the residents. Apart from the question of convenience and suitability of the location, the relevant powers of the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha in this regard need to be noted.