WP(C) 1217/2008 BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE T.N.K. SINGH Heard Mr. D.C. Borah, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr P.Roy, learned , Govt Advocate for the respondents. A short fact , in a nut shell, leading to the filing of the pre sent writ petition is that by a settlement order/letter dated 8.2.06, Jhanji Pa dumoni Sand Mahal was settled to the petitioner for the terms of 2006-2008 w.e.f from 6.2.2006 to 5.2.2008 and his term of Mahal had already been expired on 3. 2.08. It is stated that for the reasons beyond his control, such as, some depart mental disputes, bandh declared etc, the petitioner was not able to operate the said Mahal for some months during the term of his settlement. Accordingly, the petitioner filed the representation dated 5.11.07 to the concerned authority for extension of his term under Rule 21(3) of the Assam Sale of Forest Produce Cou pes And Mahals Rules, 1977. A copy of the said representation is available at (A nnexure 8 to the present writ petition). It is stated that without considering the said representation da ted 5.11.2007 filed by the petitioner for extension of the term of his Mahal, th e respondents had invited NIT for settlement of the said Jhanji Padumni Sand Mah al. In the above premises, this writ petition is disposed of by dir ecting the Divisional Forest Officer, Jorhat Division-respondent No.5 to conside r and dispose of the said representation dated 5.11.2007 filed by the petitioner for extension of the term of the said Sand Mahal under Rule 21(3) of Assam Sale of Forest Produce Coupes And Mahals Rules, 1977 by passing a reasoned order wit hin a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this o rder. It is also made clear that, till the said representation dated 5 .11.2007 of the petitioner is considered and disposed of by passing a reasoned o rder, the respondents are restrained from finalizing the NIT of the said Jhanji Padumoni Sand Mahal. The writ petition is allowed.