VIJAY SHANKAR SINGH SON OF RAMCHANDRA SINGH, RESIDENT OF VILLAGE & POST PASPURA BEGUSARAI BIHAR Vs. DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER & 6 ORS. RESIDENT OF MOHALLA POKHARIA WARD NO.19 NEAR KALISTHAN CHAWK,P.O. & DISTRICT BEGUSARAI BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Forest Department of Government of Bihar published a notice in the newspaper, for auction of several trees which were lying towards the road and Bandh area etc. The petitioner also submitted a bid in the auction held on 27.06.1996. The bid was given for second class Sagwan timber. The said bid was accepted by the Forest Pramandal Officer, Begusarai. The grievance of the complainant/petitioner is that after acceptance of the bid, which he had given for a sum of Rs.1,10,696.50.00, he found that in fact the said timber/wood was not teakwood. The complainant lodged a protest in this regard with the concerned Department but no relief was granted to him. Being aggrieved, he approached the concerned District Forum by way of a complaint.

(2.) The complaint was resisted by the respondents. It was stated in the reply that as per the terms of the bid, the participants were advised to satisfy themselves with the quality and quantity of the wood before participating in the auction. It was further stated that the complainant took delivery of the wood without any protest and later alleged that it was not Teakwood.

(3.) In the District Forum, there was diversion of opinions. The President of the District Forum directed dismissal of the complaint whereas two members directed refund of the bid amount with compensation etc.