This writ petition has been filed by the petitioners, who have all established saw mills. It is seen from the licences and other registrations obtained by the petitioners that the mills are in existence long prior to 30/10/2002. Petitioners have also made applications to the 1st respondent for no objection certificates and Exts.P3, P8, P11, P14, P20, P23, P27 and P31 are the verification reports. These verification reports also indicate that the mills were in existence prior to 30/10/2002. It is while so that Ext.P4 and other similar stop memos were issued by the forest authorities directing closure of the mills mainly on the ground that the petitioners have not obtained NOC from the 1st respondent. It is apprehending forceful closure of the units, the petitioners have approached this Court.
2. Learned Government Pleader has obtained instructions in the matter and he confirms the pendency of the applications for NOC. Thus, the applications made by the petitioners for obtaining no objection certificates are pending consideration of WPC No. 23168/11 :2 : the 1st respondent. Prima facie materials indicate that the units are in existence long prior to 30/10/2002. In such circumstances, I do not think, at this stage, closure of the units is warranted. Therefore, I direct that the 1st respondent will consider the applications made by the petitioners for NOC in the light of the verification reports referred to above and until orders are passed and communicated to the petitioners, status quo as on date with regard to the functioning of their mills shall be allowed to continue, provided however that the activities in their respective mills shall be confined to what is permissible in terms of the licence issued by the local authority concerned.
Writ petition is disposed of as above.
ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE Rp