IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.18279 of 2008 VIJAY SHARMA, son of Jaidev Sharma, Prop. Of M/S. Ajay Saw Mill, resident of village – Tulshipur Kharik, Distt. Bhagalpur. Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR through Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Old Secretariat, Patna, Technology Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna. 2. Conservator of Forst, Purnia Division, Purnia. 3. Divisional Forest Officer, Katihar Division/Purnia Division, Purnia. ----------- 02. 03.08.2009 By order dated 31.12.2001 the Licensing Authority cum Divisional Forest Officer, Katihar cancelled the licence of the saw mill of the petitioner. The said order became the subject matter in appeal namely, Appeal no. 4 of 2002. The appellate authority in exercise of power passed an order dated 5.8.2004, who for the reasons mentioned in the order categorically recorded that the order of suspension of the licence of the petitioner shall remain in abeyance, but so far allegation and violation of sections 7, 9 and 10 of the Act was concerned, the same was to be heard and decided within a month. The petitioner informs the Court that despite passage of five years no final order has been passed by the licensing authority. This being so, the writ application is disposed of with a direction upon respondent no.3, the Divisional Forest Officer, Katihar that he shall decide the matter in question within four weeks from the date of communication/receipt of a copy of this order. If no order is passed within that four weeks by him, the Court may be constrained to take judicial notice of the conduct of respondent No.3 because live and livelihood of the petitioner will be dependant upon the said - 2 - licence and the same cannot be allowed to remain undecided for years together. The writ application stands disposed of with the above direction. rkp (Ajay Kumar Tripathi, J)