Timber traders in Jammu complain of govt apathy

The Association of Timber Industries (Jammu) has accused the state government of "hatching a conspiracy to wipe out timber trade," saying the forest department's decision to impose a forest tax of Rs 10 per feet on timber that's brought into Jammu and Kashmir was "unjustified and illegal".

The association has asked for the abolition of the tax.

Addressing a press conference here, Association President Jai Singh said for the past several months, timber traders of Jammu were being harassed by the officials of the forest department and ministry on various pretexts.

He said, "Unnecessary formalities are sought to be imposed under Form 25 on timber traders of the Jammu region and it seems the government has hatched a conspiracy to ruin timber trade in Jammu."

"Some of issues the state government is ignoring are the following: Issuing Form 25 on the spot in Lakhanpur for timber purchased from outside; permission for supplying cut-to-size timber within the state; issuing Form 25 in the name of the customer for whom timber is purchased, besides the suspension of commission against the maintenance of the 'Dirket' Book system in the units for issuing timber to customers, etc. Due to the apathetic attitude of the forest ministry, Jammu timber traders have not been able to participate in any auction of the State Forest Corporation in the past three months," Singh added.

Association General Secretary Dharamvir Singh said, "In 1996, the Supreme Court imposed a ban on the outgo of timber from the state, and the apex court also directed that timber procured from forests in the state would be used to meet local requirements. But still under the garb of 'surplus', timber is being sent outside the state."

"In the past two years, timber rates have doubled, and on top of that the forest department has levied a forest tax of Rs 10 per feet of timber we bring from outside the state. This is unjustified and illegal."

He urged the forest department and the State Forest Corporation to follow court directions in letter and spirit and conduct regular auctions, as was the practice two years ago. This would entail a proper classification, grading, and stacking of sufficient timber in all auctions to meet the requirements of timber traders.