Duty of Pattadar or tenant to report illegal rapping of toddy and sendhi trees

(1) The pattadar, tenant or other person, in actual possession of land on which any toddy or sendhi tree stands must report in writing or in case where he does not know writing, orally to the Patel or Patwari of the village any case of tapping of such trees as soon as possible after he becomes aware of such tapping and on receipt of the information by the Patel or Patwari, as the case may be, he must issue written acknowledgement thereof to the reporter, and in case of illegal tapping he must report the same to the Abkari authorities concerned. (2) Any contravention of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with fine which may extend to the amount of the tree-tax payable, in respect of the tree illegally tapped, in accordance with the laws and rules for the time being in force.