MOHAMED HANIFA Vs. ASSISTANT ENGINEER OPERATION & MAINTENANCE TANGEDCO TAMIL NADU GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner is running a "Saw Mill" in the name and style of "A.M.A.National Saw Mill" situated at SF.No.280/7B, Main Road, Vadakadu, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukottai District.

(2.) ADMITTEDLY, the said mill was established in the year 2005, after the cut off date i.e., 29.10.2002 fixed by the Hon'ble Apex Court, by an order dated 29.10.2002 in T.N.Godavarman Thirumalpad Vs. Union of India and others in I.A.No.566 in W.P.(C).No.202 of 1995, giving certain directions to all the States and Union Territories. The following directions are relevant for the purpose of this case: "No State or Union Territory shall permit any unlicensed saw-mills, veneer, plywood industry to operate and they are directed to close all such unlicensed unit forthwith. No State Government or Union Territory will permit the opening of any saw-mills, veneer or plywood industry without prior permission of the Central Empowered Committee. The Chief Secretary of each State will ensure strict compliance of this direction. There shall also be no relaxation of rules with regard to the grant of licence without previous concurrence of the Central Empowered Committee. It shall be open to apply to this Court for relaxation and or appropriate modification or orders qua plantations or grant of licences."

(3.) SINCE the running of the saw mill, that is established after 29.10.2002 without clearance from the Central Empowered Committee is prohibited by the Hon'ble Apex Court by the aforesaid order in T.N.Godavarman Thirumalpad's case (cited supra), I do not find any infirmity in the impugned order of the respondent. Hence, the Writ petition fails and the same is dismissed.