Section 12 in Andhra Pradesh Forest Settlement Rules, 1969
12.
The Divisional Forest Officer shall normally attend the inquiry, if he is unable to attend the inquiry before the Forest Settlement Officer, he may forward to the Forest Settlement Officer any statement he may wish to make in writing along with any documents he may decide to put in. The Divisional Forest Officer may, in such cases, if he so wishes, depute a subordinate to explain, if necessary, the statement submitted by him. In such cases the officer so deputed shall not be below the rank of Ranger.
