IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.14909 of 2009 1. M/S RAMJI MISTRY SAW MILL , ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR,DISTT- NALANDA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR RAMJI MISTRY S/O LAKHAN MISTRY RESIDENT OF VILL- ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT- NALANDA 2. M/S SAW MILL, ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR CHOTE LAL SHARMA S/O LATE LAKHAN MISTRY VILL- ISLAMPUR, P.S ISLAMPUR, DISTT- NALANDA 3. M/S MANOJ MISTRY SAW MILL, EKANGARSARAI, P.S. EKANGASARAI, DISTT- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR MANOJ MISTRY S/O LATE SUKHU MISTRY VILL- SUNDHI BIGHA(EKANGARSARAI) PS EKANGARSARAI, DISTT- NALANDA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR , THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER MITHILA FOREST DIVISION, NALANDA 4. THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER HILSA with CWJC No.15088 of 2009 1. M/S SURESH MISTRI SAW MILL JOL BIGHA, KARAY PARSURAY, P.S. KARAY PARSURAY, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR SURESH MISTRI S/O GANAURI MISTRI, R/O VILL.- JOL BIGHA, KARAY PARSURAY, P.S. KARAY PARSURAY, DISTT.- NALANDA 2. M/S VISHWAKARMA SAW MILL BELE ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER RAMESH MISTRI S/O CHOTAN MISTRI, R/O VILL.- BELE, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA 3. M/S JAI BHAWANI SAW MILL RAHUI, P.S.- BIHARSHARIFF, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR SRI RAMCHANDRA SHARMA S/O LATE MAHENDRA MISTRI, R/O VILL.- MANDALPUR, P.S. BIHARSHARIFF, DISTT.- NALANDA 4. M/S CHUNI TIMBER PATEL NAGAR, ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR MD. ABDUL MAJID S/O LATE JUMRATI MIAN, R/O PATEL NAGAR, ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA 2 5. M/S SAHU ARA SAW MILL RAHOPUR, P.S. BIHTA, DISTT.- PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR SANJAY KUMAR S/O LATE KRISHNA PRASAD, R/O VILL.- RAGHOPUR, P.S. BIHTA, DISTT.- PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPTT., GOVT. OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, NALANDA FOREST DIVISION BIHARSHARIFF 4. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, PATNA FOREST DIVISION PATNA with CWJC No.15107 of 2009 1. M/S PAWAN SAW MILL ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR INDRADEO MISTRI S/O LATE RAM GULAM MISTRI, R/O ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA 2. M/S SAW MILL P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR RAM AWATAR SHARMA S/O LATE RAM GULAM MISTRI, R/O ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA 3. M/S KUNTI SAW MILL PATEL NAGER, ISLAMPUR, P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR JANARDAN PRASAD SHARMA S/O BRAJ NANDAN PRASAD SHARMA, R/O PATEL NAGAR, ISLAMPUR P.S. ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA 4. M/S ABULLAIS SAW MILL BALBHADRAPUR, P.S. BIRPUR, DISTT.- SUPAUL, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR MD. ABULLAIS @ ABUL LASH S/O LATE ABUBAKAR, R/O VILL.- BHAGWANPUR, P.S. BIRPUR, DISTT.- SUPAUL Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPTT., GOVT. OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, NALANDA FOREST DIVISION BIHARSHARIFF 4. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER SAHARSA 5. THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, HILSA DISTT.- NALANDA with CWJC No.15602 of 2009 3 1. M/S PANDAV SAW MILL, GODONA MORE, GAUTAM ASTHA, P.S. RIVILGANJ, DISTT.- SARAN, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER SANTOSH KUMAR SINGH S/O SRI BRIJNANDAN SINGH R/O GODONA MORE, GAUTAM ASTHA, P.S. RIVILGANJ, DISTT.- SARAN Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR, THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPTT., GOVT. OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, CHAPRA FOREST DIVISION, SARAN 4. THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, CHAPRA, DISTT.- SARAN with CWJC No.15603 of 2009 1. M/S AYODHYA MISTRI SAW MILL, EKANGARSARAI, P.S. EKANGARSARAI, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR AYODHYA MISTRI ALIAS AYODHYA PRASAD S/O SRI MANGI MISTRI R/O VILL.- EKANGARSARAI, P.S. EKANGARSARAI, DISTT.- NALANDA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR, THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPTT., GOVT. BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, NAWADAH FOREST DIVISION, NAWADAH 4. THE FORESTER, EKANGARSARAI, DISTT.- NALANDA with CWJC No.16469 of 2009 1. M/S LAL FURNITURE SAW MILL, BIKRAM, P.S. BIKRAM, DISTT. PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR KAMLESH PRASAD S/O SRI DHAM NARAYAN VISHWAKARMA R/O BIKRAM, P.S. BIKRAM, DISTT. PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR, THROUGH THE SECRETARY ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPTT., GOVT. OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER PATNA FOREST DIVISION, PATNA with CWJC No.16169 of 2009 1. M/S GANGA PRASAD SAW MILL PATEL NAGAR, ISLAMPUR, P.S.- ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF 4 ATTORNEY HOLDER RAJ GOPAL KUMAR KESHARI, S/O SRI SATYA NARAYAN PD. KESHRI, R/O MOHALLA- PATEL NAGAR, ISLAMPUR, P.S.- ISLAMPUR, DISTT.- NALANDA 2. M/S KUMAR INDUSTRIES, AITWARPUR, P.S.- PHULWARISHARIFF, DISTT.- PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR SURENDRA SHARMA S/O LATE MUNSHI SHARMA R/O MOHALLA- AITWARPUR, P.S.- PHULWARISHARIFF, DISTT.- PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER NALANDA FOREST DIVISION, BIHARSHARIFF 4. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER PATNA FOREST DIVISION, PATNA with CWJC No.16225 of 2009 1. SUKHDEO MISTRI S/O SRI TOOSAN MISTRI R/O MOH- GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S-MASAURHI, DISTT- PATNA PROPRIETOR OF M/S DILIP KUMAR TIMBER, TAREGANA, GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S- MASAURHI, DISTT- PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, PATNA FOREST DIVISION, PATNA 4. THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, MASAURHI, DISTT- PATNA with CWJC No.16323 of 2009 1. M/S HIRA LAL CHOUDHARY SAW MILL, MALWA TOLA, LAXMINIA, P.S. LADANIA, DISTT- MADHUBANI A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR HIRA LAL CHOUDHARY S/O SRI RAM EKBAL CHOUDHARY, MALWA TOLA , LAXMINIA, P.S.LADANIA, DISTT- MADHUBANI Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR , THROUGH THE SECRETARY , ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER , MITHILA FOREST DIVISION DARBHANGA 4. THE FORESTER LADANIA, DISTT- MADHUBANI 5 5. THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER LADANIA FOREST RANGE, LADANIA, DISTT- MADHUBANI with CWJC No.16989 of 2009 1. M/S VISHWAKARMA SAW MILL, NOORSARAY, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR RAM BACHAN SHARMA S/O SRI PARMESHWAR SHARMA null R/O NOORSARAY, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA 2. M/S SAW MILL, NOORSARAY, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR LALJI MISTRI S/O LATE SUKHU MISTRI R/O NOORSARAY, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA 3. M/S AJAY SAW MILL, NOORSARAY, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR RAMDEO MISTRI S/O SRI SUKHU MISTRI R/O NOORSARAY, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA 4. M/S KESHO SAW MILL, CHANDASI, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR KESHO MISTRI S/O BODHI MISTRI R/O CHANDASI, P.S. NOORSARAY, DISTT.- NALANDA 5. M/S SAW MILL, CHANDI, P.S.- CHANDI, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR KAPILDEO SHARMA S/O SRI RAMESHWAR SHARMA R/O CHANDI, P.S. CHANDI, DISTT.- NALANDA 6. M/S DURGA TIMBER, RAMCHADRAPUR, BIHARSHARIF, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR DHARMENDRA KUMAR S/O SRI ROHA MAHTO R/O VILL.- SATHOPUR, P.O. GAGHRA, P.S. DEEPNAGAR, DISTT.- NALANDA 7. M/S BRAHAMDEV SAW MILL, BYPASS ROAD, DEVI SARAI, BIHARSHARIF, DISTT.- NALANDA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR CHANDRA UDAY KUMAR S/O LATE BRAHAMDEV SHARMA R/O BYPASS ROAD, DEVI SARAI, BIHARSHARIF, DISTT.- NALANDA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR, THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPTT., GOVT. OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, NALANDA FOREST DIVISION, NALANDA with CWJC No.17097 of 2009 1. M/S KUMAR TIMBER, TELHARA, P.S- TELHARA, DISTT- NALANDA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR BIRENDRA PRASAD S/O LATE RAM PRASAD MAHTO, R/O TELHARA,P.S- TELHARA, DISTT- NALANDA 6 2. M/S OM PURNITURE SAW MILL, NEW ETWARPUR- KURTHAUL, P.S- PARSA BAZAR DISTT- PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER MITHLESH KUMAR SHARMA SON OF SRI RAJNANDAN SHARMA, RESIDENT OF MOH- NEW ETWARPUR-KURTHAUL, P.S- PARSA BAZAR, DISTT- PATNA 3. M/S SHARMA KASTH KALA UDYOG, TELHARA, P.S- TELHARA, DISTT- NALANDA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR BINDA SHARMA S/O LATE KARU MISTRI, R/O VILL- TELHARA, P.S- TELHARA, DISTT- NALANDA 4. M/S DEO PRASAD VISHWAKARMA SAW MILL, MANER, P.S- MANER, DISTT- PATNA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR SRI DEO PRASAD VISHWAKARMA S/O LATE RUPLA VISHWAKARMA R/O VIL- MANER, P.S- MANER, DISTT- PATNA 5. M/S VISHAL SAW MILL, TAREGANA GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S- MASAURHI DISTT- PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR SRI TIBHUWAN SHARMA S/O TUSHAN MISTRI, R/O TAREGANA, GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S-MASAURHI, DISTT- PATNA 6. M/S SHAHI SAW MILL, TAREGANA GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S- MASAURHI DISTT- PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR SRI JAGDISH SHARMA SON OF LATE RAM JANAM SHARMA, RESIDENT OF TAREGANA GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S- MASAURHI, DISTT- PATNA 7. M/S BATALA SAW MILL, DARYAPUR, SHIWALA ROAD, PATNA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER SRI DILIP KUMAR S/O SRI SURYA DAYAL PRASAD, R/O DARYAPUR, SHIWALA ROAD, PATNA, DISTT- PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, NALANDA FOREST DIVISION, NALANDA 4. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, PATNA FOREST DIVISION, PATNA with CWJC No.17828 of 2009 1. M/S RAMASHISH PRASAD SAW MILL, OLD GEEP STAND, HILSA, P.S.- HILSA, DISTT.- NALANDA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR RAMASHISH PRASAD S/O SRI CHANDESHWAR MAHTO R/O OLD GEEP STAND, HILSA, P.S.- HILSA, DISTT.- NALANDA 7 2. M/S JANTA TIMBER WORKS, GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S.- MASAURHI, DISTT.- PATNA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR UMESH SHARMA S/O SRI SHIVLAKHAN SHARMA R/O GOLA ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S.- MASAURHI, DISTT.- PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER NAWADAH FOREST DIVISION, NAWADAH 4. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER PATNA FOREST DIVISION, PATNA with CWJC No.17982 of 2009 1. M/S SARYUG SAW MILL CHORSUA, P.S. GIRICHAK, DISTT-NALANDA A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER MUKESH KUMAR SINHA S/O SRI SARYUG SHARMA R/O VILL CHORSUA, P.S. GIRICHAK,DISTT-NALANDA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT &FOREST DEPARTMENT GOVERNEMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR,PATNA 3. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER null NAWADAH FOREST DIVISION, NAWADAH 4. THE FORESTER EKANGARSARAI, DISTT-NALANDA with CWJC No.18661 of 2009 1. M/S BHARGO TIMBER , NEW BY PASS ROAD, N.H.30, PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PPROPRIETOR KARNAIL SINGH S/O LATE CHARAN SINGH R/O M/S BHARGO SAW MILL, KHAGAUL ROAD, MITHAPUR, P.S.JAKKANPUR, DISTT-PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR , THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENCING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER PATNA FOREST DIVISION , PATNA with CWJC No.18487 of 2009 1. M/S MAA GAYATRI SAW MILL, SITUATED AT GAYA ROAD, EKANGARSARAI POLICE STATION, EKANGARSARAI, DISTT.- NALANDA THROUGH ITS 8 PROPRIETOR SRI RANJIT KUMAR S/O LATE PARMESHWAR SINGH R/O EKANGARSARAI, P.O. AND P.S.- EKANGARSARAI, DISTT.- NALANDA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENCING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER NALANDA, BIHARSHARIF with CWJC No.210 of 2010 1. M/S GEETA TIMBER WORKS, NEAR POLICE STATION FATUAH, P.S FATUAH, DISTT- PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER KAMLESH KUMAR S/O SRI BRAJNANDAN PRASAD SINGH R/O MOH- CHINAUTI KUAN, P.S- PHULWARISHARIF, DISTT- PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT & FOREST DEPARTMENT, GOVT. OF BIHAR, PATNA 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, PATNA FOREST DIVISION, PATNA with CWJC No.260 of 2010 1. M/S ARBIND SAW MILL , SATI –ASTHAN, MASAURHI, P.S. MASAURHI, DISTRICT- PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER ARBIND KUMAR S/O LATE LALJI MISTRI, RESIDENT OF SATI- ASTHAN, MASAURHI, P.S. MASAURHI,DISTRICT- PATNA. 2. M/S VISHWAMARKA FURNITURE HOUSE, EKANGAR ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S. MASAURHI, DISTRICT-PATNA, A PROPRIETORSHIP FIRM THROUGH ITS PROPRIETOR VISHESHWAR VISHWAKARMA SON OF LATE NARAYAN VISHWAKARMA, RESIDENT OF EKNAGAR ROAD, MASAURHI, P.S. MASAURHI, DISTRICT-PATNA. Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR through the Secretary,Enviornment & Foresh Depatment, Govt. of Bihar,Patna. 2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, BIHAR, PATNA 3. THE LICENSING OFFICER CUM DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, PATNA FOREST DIVISION, PATNA ----------- 9 For the Petitioner: (in all cases) : M/s Mrigank Mauli & Vinay Mistri. 2 8.1.2010 The present writ petitions have been filed by the petitioners against the action of the respondents whereby they are not being permitted to operate their Saw Mills even they had licenses earlier on the plea that as per seniority list prepared earlier they did not qualify to retain their licenses. The further prayer is to set aside the directions issued by the Forest Range Officer to all Regional Forest Officers that unless each individual Saw Mill get an order from this Court they should be stopped from operating. It is on these grounds that the petitioners and their like have been stopped from operating their Saw Mills either by cancellation of their licenses or by non renewal of their licenses. Mr. Mrigank Mauli, learned counsel appearing in support of the writ petitions points out that the earlier seniority list, as prepared, has lost all its sanctity inasmuch as the State itself has given up the said list and is in the process of making a fresh survey of availability of timbers and its utilization. That being so, the earlier seniority list, which has lost its sanctity cannot be acted upon and till the exercise is completed de novo by the State, no one can be restrained from operating their Saw Mills if they earlier had valid licence, which had not been cancelled for any irregularity and had not been renewed merely because they did not qualify in the seniority list. This position cannot be contested by the State inasmuch as this position has been approved by the Central Empowered Committee and 10 has been approved by the Apex Court itself. In my view, I have no option but to direct that if there is no other impediment, petitioners cannot be stopped from operating their Saw Mills . Their applications for renewal of licenses have been duly processed and granted in accordance with law without reference to the old seniority. With these observations and directions, the writ petitions stand allowed. Singh (Navaniti Prasad Singh, J.)