Section 27 in Tamil Nadu Lease-holds (Abolition and Conversion Into Ryotwari) Rules, 1965
27. Decision of questions regarding forests.
(1)The Assistant Settlement Officer shall determine questions regarding forests under section 42 either suo motu or on application.(2)Any person requiring a decision under section 42 shall apply to the Assistant Settlement Officer in Form No. 13.(3)Except where the said application is on behalf of the Government, it shall be signed and verified by the applicant.(4)Every such application shall be restricted to lands in a single leasehold.(5)Every such application shall be either presented in person or sent by registered post.(6)As many copies of the application as there are respondents with one additional copy for the Tahsildar shall be filed with the application.(7)On receipt of the application, the Assistant Settlement Officer shall fix a date of hearing and issue notice in Form No. 14 to the parties, the Tahsildar and the respondents. A copy of the application shall also be sent along with the notice.(8)The Assistant Settlement Officer shall make a summary enquiry in to the application and give his decision after giving the parties a reasonable opportunity for adducing evidence.(9)A copy of the order shall be served on the applicant and on each of the respondents. A copy shall also be sent to the Settlement Officer and the Tahsildar.(10)Every appeal against an order of the Assistant Settlement Officer under section 42 shall be preferred to the Settlement Officer within thirty days from the date of communication of the order.(11)On receipt of the order, the Settlement Officer shall fix a date for hearing and give notice in Form No. 15 to the parties concerned and pass orders after giving them a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
