WP(C) 2553/2009 BEFORE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE P K MUSAHARY Heard Mr. M.K.Choudhury, learned senior counsel for the petitioners and Mr.J.H andique, learned Govt. Advocate, Assam. The petitioners, 70 in numbers are poultry farmers. They state that th ey lost their birds during prohibition imposed by the Government due to outbreak of bird flue in the State. They also say that there was a total ban on movement and sale of poultry and its products. In certain areas as per direction of the Government, birds were culled to prevent spread of the disease. The petitioners did not cul their birds during the prohibition period but died during prohibi tion period and as a result they suffered financial loss. To compensate their lo ss, the petitioners approached respondent No.3 by filing representation dated 3. 12.2008 through their organization namely All Assam Poultry Farmers’ Associatio n requesting payment of compensation at increased rate . Although a period of more than two years have been elapsed, the responde nt No.3 has not responded to the request of the petitioners and most of the memb ers of the said organization including the petitioners have not been paid compe nsation. There is no dispute that there was an outbreak of bird flue and a large number of farms suffered financial loss . There is also no dispute that the Gov t. provided compensation to many farms. The petitioners have furnished particul ars regarding numbers of birds died during the relevant period. There is no coun ter signature of any departmental officer/authority on the said statement of particulars. The matter requires verification to assess the actual loss. This court is not in a position to pass any order for compensation in f avour of the petitioners at this stage. However, since the representation submit ted by the association as mentioned above, is still pending disposal, it is deem ed fit and proper to direct the respondent - Director to depute a responsible of ficer who shall visit the area of the petitioners and make verification and asse ssment of the loss suffered by them. The officer who would make the spot verific ation shall submit his report within a period of three months to the respondent- Director and on receipt of the same the said respondent-Director shall consider and dispose of the aforesaid representation and pass a speaking order which shal l be communicated to the petitioners. The respondent-Director shall dispose of t he representation within a reasonable period but not later than three months fro m the date of receipt of the report from the officer concerned. With the aforesaid directions, writ petition stands disposed of.