IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. Civil Writ Petition No. 6392 of 2009 DATE OF DECISION : MAY 14, 2009 GRAM PANCHAYAT VILLAGE TANDWAL ....... PETITIONER(S) VERSUS STATE OF HARYANA & ORS. .... RESPONDENT(S) CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAI LAMBA PRESENT: Mr. Arvind Singh, Advocate, for the petitioner(s). Mr. Sunil Nehra, AAG, Haryana. AJAI LAMBA, J. (Oral) This petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India has been filed by Gram Panchayat of Village Tandwal, Tehsil and District Barara, District Ambala, through its Sarpanch, praying for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing respondent No.2 i.e. Divisional Forest Officer, Ambala, to effect evaluation of 725 eucalyptus trees belonging to the Gram Panchayat so that the same can be sold. In brief, learned counsel for the petitioner contends that even Civil Writ Petition No. 6392 of 2009 2 during the earlier years, the trees were grown on the Panchayat land and after getting permission from the respondent-authorities, the same were cut. The trees were mature for cutting in September, 2006 and permission was sought. No action, however, has been taken. Shri Jagmohan Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer, Ambala, is present in court and states that the Deputy Commissioner has taken a decision that has been conveyed to the Forest Department that the land belongs to the Gram Panchayat and the Gram Panchayat would be entitled to the sale proceeds of the trees. There was some dispute in regard to the claim of the Gram Panchayat which has, now, been resolved. The sanction is to be accorded by the Chief Conservator of Forests. Shri Sunil Nehra, appearing for the Divisional Forest Officer, contends that the Divisional Forest Officer has been pursuing the matter, however, there has been some delay. Shri Jagmohan Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer, Ambala, states that the needful would be done within 3 weeks from today and the relevant communication will be sent to the Gram Panchayat. In view of the statement given by Shri Jagmohan Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, Ambala, this petition is disposed of. May 14, 2009 ( AJAI LAMBA ) Kang JUDGE