(1)When any such money is payable for, or in respect of, any forest produce, the amount thereof shall be deemed to be a first charge on such produce, and such produce may be taken possession of by a Forest Officer specially empowered in this behalf, and may be retained by him until such amount has been paid.(2)If such amount is not paid when due, such Forest Officer may sell such produce by public auction, and the proceeds of the sale shall be applied first in discharging such amount:Provided that when no price is offered or the price offered in such action is considered inadequate, the sale by such auction shall be stopped and such Forest Officer shall sell the produce in such other manner as the State Government may direct in this behalf.(3)The surplus, if any, if not claimed within two months from the date of the sale by the person entitled thereto, shall be forfeited to the Government.
