204. (1) The [Zila Panchayat] may, where it appears to be necessary for the prevention of danger to life or property, by public notice prohibit all persons from stocking or collecting, or stocking or collecting beyond a specified quantity, wood, dry grass, straw or other inflammable materials, or from placing mats or thatched huts or lighting fires in any house, building place or within limits specified in the notice.
(2) Where dry wood, grass, straw or other inflammable material is suspected to be stocked or collected in contravention of a prohibition under sub-section (1), or in excess of the quantity permitted to be kept in such house, building or place under the provisions of sub-section (1) or of any bye-laws the Mukhya Adhikari or any officer or servant of the [Zila Panchayat] authorized by the Mukhya Adhikari in this behalf may, without notice and at any period of the day or night, enter into and inspect a house or building or place.
(3) Should any quantity or excess quantity of such material be discovered it may be seized and held subject to such order as a magistrate may pass with respect to it.
(4) If the magistrate decides that the material seized was stored in the house, building or place contrary to any prohibition made under sub-section (1) he may pass an order confiscating the same
(5) Subject to any provisions of or made under, this for any other enactment, the material so confiscated may be sold by order the Magistrate, and the proceeds, after defraying the expenses of such sale, shall be credited to the Zila Nidhi.