Rajasthan High Court Stays Transfer Of Panchayat-Controlled Ponds To Fisheries Department

The Rajasthan High Court, by its order dated March 17, stayed the effect and operation of an order passed by the Panchayati Raj Department, dated August 27, 2025, wherein certain ponds which were under the control of the concerned Panchayat were shifted back to the Fisheries Department of the State.

The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu was hearing a petition filed by the Gram Panchayat Sorsan, challenging the above-mentioned order, alleging it to be contrary to Article 243G and Schedule 11 of the Constitution.

It was submitted that as per the provisions of the Constitution, certain functions of the State Government were transferred and brought under the control of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department.

Hence, it was argued that the said department was not authorized to transfer the ponds to State Government, which were under the control of the local Panchayat.

After hearing the contentions, the Court directed issuance of notices to the State government, and stayed the order of the Department, observing that water bodies under the control of the Panchayat shall continue under their control.

The matter has been listed after 4 weeks.

Title: Gram Panchayat Sorsan v State of Rajasthan & Ors.

For Petitioner: Ms. Priyanshi Jaiswal on behalf of Mr. Sandeep Singh Shekhawat

For Respondents: Mr. Prateek Saxena, AAAG, with Mr. Ashutosh Udawat & Ms. Anshu Raga

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