IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5324 of 2005 Shivji Sharma @ Shivji Prasad , S/o Late Jaglal Sharma resident of village Kashdewra Bangra, P.O. Kashdewra Bangra, P.S. Maharajganj, District Siwan …. Petitioner Versus 1. The State Of Bihar through the Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, 3rd Secretariat, Sinchai Bhawan, Harding Road, Patna – 800001 2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Sinchai Bhawan, Harding Road, Patna-1 3. The Divisional Forest Officer-cum-Licensing Officer, Siwan, District Siwan …… Respondents For the Petitioner : Dr. Uma Shankar Prasad, Sr. Advocate Mr. Bhwneshwar Pandey, Advocate For the State : Mr. Rajeev Lochan, AC to GA 9 4 30.09.2011 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the State. The petitioner seeks quashing of Memo No. 2303 dated 31.12.2005 as contained in Annexure 1 issued by the Licensing Authority cum Divisional Forest Officer, whereby he has directed the petitioner to close down his saw mill with immediate effect. A counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of the State. It has been stated therein that the petitioner’s saw mill in the name and style of M/s Gupta Saw Mill situated at village Kasdewra, 2 P.O. Kasdewra Bangra, Block – Maharajganj, District Siwan was granted a license bearing no. 158/95 dated 7.12.1995 under the Bihar Saw Mill (Regulation) Act, 1990. However, as per the resolution of the State Government bearing no. 760 E dated 13.11.2003, the saw mill of the petitioner was not selected by the Selection Committee and accordingly it was directed to be closed down vide Annexure 1. It is submitted on behalf of State that a policy has been adopted by the State Government of granting license in accordance with District-wise seniority which would be apparent from the resolution dated 30.8.2010 as contained in Annexure C to the counter affidavit in view of the direction of the Supreme Court. It has been clearly stated in paragraph 8 of the counter affidavit that the Saw Mill Selection Committee headed by the Divisional Commissioner, Saran created as per the aforesaid resolution has prepared a seniority list of 62 saw mills for grant of license and the petitioner’s saw mill is placed at 58th serial and, thus, obviously his 3 license would be renewed very soon. It is fairly submitted on behalf of the petitioner that in view of the aforesaid statement the petitioner’s grievance stands settled. Accordingly, this writ application is disposed of with direction to the respondents to immediately communicate to the petitioner the final decision taken regarding the renewal of his license. It is also expected that the authorities will not delay the matter further and take a decision expeditiously. Spd/- (Dr. Ravi Ranjan, J.)