BLOG DETAILS
The Kallakurichi Forest Division in Tamil Nadu has announced a Tender-Cum-Public Auction of 29 vehicles seized in forest offence cases . The vehicles will be auctioned on an “as is where is” basis , meaning bidders must purchase them in their existing condition and at their current location.
According to the press release dated October 8, 2026 , the auction will be held on October 12, 2026, at 3 PM at the District Forest Officer's office in Kallakurichi. Sealed tender applications will be accepted until 1 PM on the same day .
The auction covers vehicles seized in forest offence cases under Section 46 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, as amended in 1992 . The department has specified that only registered or renewed forest contractors for 2026 in the Kallakurichi Forest Division will be eligible to participate.
https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3c7e1249ffc03eb9ded908c236bd1996d/uploads/2026/10/17915240019196.pdf
The Forest Department has included vehicles seized in forest-related offences from two forest ranges.
| Forest Range | Number of Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Ulundurpet Forest Range | 8 |
| Kallakurichi Forest Range | 21 |
| Total | 29 |
Interested bidders can inspect the vehicles at their existing locations on working days during office hours, either on the auction day or beforehand, with permission from the concerned Forest Range Officer.
The vehicles are being sold in their present condition. Therefore, bidders should inspect the vehicle's physical condition and assess any repair or maintenance requirements before submitting their bids.
Participation is restricted to forest contractors registered or renewed for the year 2026 under the Kallakurichi Forest Division .
Eligible bidders must submit the prescribed sealed tender form and pay the applicable earnest money deposit (EMD) for each vehicle they wish to bid for. Contractors who have not paid the required EMD will not be permitted to participate.
Each bidder must also carry a valid identity document.
Tender forms are available at the District Forest Officer's Office, Kallakurichi Forest Division, from September 24 to October 9, 2026 , during working hours.
Applicants must pay the applicable amount according to the prescribed rate schedule or submit a bank demand draft drawn in favour of the District Forest Officer, Kallakurichi Forest Division, Kallakurichi .
The completed sealed tender form must be submitted to the same office no later than 1 PM on October 12, 2026 . The tenders will be opened at 3 PM on October 12 , in the presence of the eligible contractors, by the District Forest Officer or an authorised official.
Tender forms sent by post will not be accepted if they arrive late. The department has also stated that participation through another person is not permitted.
Bidders must deposit the prescribed earnest money deposit (EMD) separately for each vehicle they intend to purchase. The deposit amount depends on the relevant vehicle's specified EMD category.
| Vehicle EMD Category | Required Deposit |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹5,000 | ₹500 |
| Above ₹5,000 and up to ₹20,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Above ₹20,000 and up to ₹50,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Above ₹50,000 and up to ₹1,00,000 | ₹10,000 |
The EMD must be paid through a demand draft for the relevant vehicle. Prospective bidders should confirm the vehicle-wise deposit amount and payment instructions with the District Forest Officer before submitting their tender forms.
Important: The EMD must correspond to the vehicle being bid for. The department will not allow a contractor to participate in bidding for a vehicle without the required deposit.
The auction will follow a combined tender and public bidding process.
First, eligible bidders must submit sealed tender forms before the deadline. These forms will be opened at 3 PM on October 12, 2026, in the presence of the eligible contractors.
The department will then compare the submitted tender amounts with the public auction bids. The vehicle will be awarded at the highest valid amount among the tender offer and the public auction bid.
Bidders must increase their offers by at least ₹100 or multiples of ₹100 .
The Forest Department reserves the right to accept or reject any bid. It may also remove a vehicle from the auction list, add another vehicle or postpone or stop the auction as permitted under the published conditions.
The successful bidder must pay the entire auction amount immediately after the auction for the vehicle concludes .
If the winning bidder fails to make the required payment, the department may cancel the bid and forfeit the EMD paid by that bidder.
If the vehicle is subsequently sold for a lower amount, the defaulting bidder may be required to pay the difference between the original winning bid and the later auction amount. The department may also add the bidder to its defaulter list and blacklist the individual from future auctions, subject to the stated conditions.
Successful bidders must remove their purchased vehicles within seven days of receiving the auction confirmation order .
Until the vehicles are removed, the successful bidders may keep them at their existing location at their own risk and responsibility. The Forest Department will not be responsible for damage or defects arising during this period.
If the bidder fails to remove the vehicle within the prescribed period, a penalty determined by the District Forest Officer will have to be paid.
The successful bidder must pay GST and other applicable taxes in addition to the auction amount, in accordance with the prevailing rules.
The notice specifies different GST treatment depending on the classification mentioned for the vehicle. Vehicles classified as motor vehicles by the relevant technical authority may attract 28% GST , while vehicles specifically classified as scrap may attract 18% GST , as stated in the notice.
Bidders should verify the classification and applicable tax rate for each vehicle before making a financial commitment.
The Forest Department has clarified that it does not guarantee the authenticity or validity of the registration numbers displayed on the auctioned vehicles.
The successful bidder will be responsible for approaching the Transport Department and completing the necessary registration, re-registration or transfer formalities, as applicable.
The Forest Department will not accept responsibility for registration-related issues. Buyers should therefore inspect the available vehicle records and confirm the feasibility of the required registration formalities before bidding.
The final confirmation of a bid will remain subject to the authority of the District Forest Officer or the authorised official conducting the auction.
For auction amounts of up to ₹2 lakh , the confirmation order will be issued by the District Forest Officer, subject to the applicable conditions. For bids exceeding ₹2 lakh, the order will be issued only after obtaining the required approval from the higher authorities.
If the auction cannot be completed on the announced date, it may continue on subsequent days or on dates announced by the department.
Any additional conditions applicable to the auction will be communicated during the auction proceedings. Decisions of the District Forest Officer will be final in matters relating to the auction, as specified in the notice.
Interested eligible contractors can contact or visit the District Forest Officer's Office, Kallakurichi Forest Division, Indhili campus, Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu , for vehicle inspection, tender forms, EMD details and further auction-related instructions.
The auction is scheduled for October 12, 2026, at 3 PM , with the sealed tender submission deadline set for 1 PM on the same day .
This auction provides an opportunity for eligible forest contractors to bid for seized vehicles through the Forest Department's prescribed tender-cum-public auction process. Applicants should review the full terms, inspect the vehicles and verify all payment, tax and registration requirements before participating.
Source: Press release issued by the District Information and Public Relations Office, Kallakurichi district, dated October 8, 2026.
