The Karnataka High Court today stayed a notification issued by the Forest Department directing Kariganur Minerals and Mining Industries, Hospet in Bellary district, to pay Rs 33.57 lakh towards forest lease rent and supervision charges to the government. Justice H Rangavittalachar passed the interim order on a petition filed by the company questioning the validity of the notification. The petitioner company has argued that the State has no authority to levy the charges and hence prayed the court to quash the notification dated September 2, 2002. The Forest Department had asked the petitioner company to pay the sum for the period between 1987 and 2002.