In response to the notice issued by this Court, respondents No. 2 and 3, namely, the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board and the Market Committee, Jagadhari have filed a counter affidavit in which it is inter alia stated that the timber market in question has been in existence for over 20 years. It is further stated that earlier than the issue of three notifications marked Annexure R2/1 to 3 under the Act aforementioned, timber was not one of the notified agricultural produce regulated under the Act. It was only in August 2006 that timber was brought under the purview of the Act in terms of notifications dated 7.8.2006, 5.9.2007 and 4.3.2008, copies whereof have been enclosed with the counter affidavit. The respondents have further stated that the Market Board has drawn up a comprehensive plan to establish a timber market over a piece of land measuring 24 acres 5 Kanals 3 marlas purchased by the Board in Village Manakpur District Yamuna Nagar. Estimated cost of development of the said area as a timber market is to the tune of Rs.6,89,60,000/-. According to the respondents, the development work for establishing the timber market has already been allotted and is likely to be completed within a period of one year or so. No sooner the timber market is established the market existing at the present location will be shifted to its new location.
