HC directs notice to Collector on auction of trees

Madurai, Feb 5 (PTI) Madras High Court Bench here todayissued notice to Ramanathapuram District Collector and ForestOfficer on a petition alleging an attempt to cause loss to thegovernment in an auction of subabul trees.

The petitioner R Chandran, a member of Kumarkakurichipanchayat, submitted that the Forest Department, in its recentauction notice for felling subabul trees in the village tankshad mentioned the area as 37 hectares though the real site was62 hectares, thus causing revenue loss to government. Theauction would be conducted on February 6.

The trees were worth Rs 20 lakh but the Forest Departmenthad valued them at only Rs two lakh. Though he had broughtthis to the notice of the Collector and the DFO, no action hadbeen taken. Hence the court should revoke of the auctionnotice.

Justice K K Sasikumar before whom the petition came updirected issue of notice to the District Collector and theDFO.