WP(C) 984/2008 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE H.N. SARMA Heard Mr. U.J. Saikia, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. R.K. B aruah, learned Additional Government Advocate. The petitioner submitted his tender praying for settlement of Subansiri Sand and Gravel Mahal under the DFO, North Lakhimpur Division, in terms of NIT i ssued by the authority dated 5-9-2007 for the period 2007 to 2009. It is submitted that he was the highest bidder offering 49,00,000/- as b id money and necessary recommendations were made in his favour, which is the sub ject matter of the appeal. An appeal has been filed again by the second highest bidder which is pen ding for disposal before the Commissioner and Secretary of Assam, Environment an d Forest Department. The grievance of the petitioner is that due to non disposal of the appea l necessary follow up action for setting the Mahal in question could not be proc eeded with. Both the learned counsel have agreed that the appeal be disposed of by t he authority at the earliest possible. In view of the aforesaid facts situation, this writ petition is disposed of with the direction that the respondent No. 1 shall dispose of the appeal fil ed against the settlement of the aforesaid Mahal pending before it, as expeditio usly as possible, preferably within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. The matter of settlement could be affected after the disposal of the app eal and hence it requires expeditious disposal. This disposes of this writ petition.