BANDHU RAM MAHTO Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is claiming compensation in lieu of cutting of 27 Mango Trees from his field for laying 400 KV Electric Transmission Line.

(2.) It is submitted that respondent no. 3, the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. issued a notice to the petitioner informing him that the trees mentioned therein were cut and the petitioner will be compensated for the loss at the value assessed by the Revenue Department. Thereafter, petitioner was paid a compensation of Rs.62,100/- by cheque dated 31.3.2003. According to the petitioner, the said payment was made only against one tree, but inspite of repeated requests, compensation for other trees have not been paid. It is also submitted that petitioner does not know in what manner, respondent no. 3 disposed of the trees in question.

(3.) It is unfortunate that inspite of sufficient opportunities given to the respondents from March, 2004, no counter affidavit has been filed by them. No one appears on behalf of respondent no. 3. State counsel submitted that in absence of counter affidavit, she is not in a position to accept or controvert the statements made by the petitioner in the writ petition.