SRINAGAR : The tall claims of the state government about the online system adaptation for the sale of timber seems a distant dream as the timber supplies are pending since years.
Pertinently the Forest department supplies timber to the concessionists falls in A, B and C zone including Municipal Council and Municipal Committee areas.
Earlier in 2105, the then Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Bali Bhagat while replying to a question by Sofi Yousuf in Legislative Council said in far-flung areas timber is supplied to needy people directly through Notices of Forest department. Adding that besides, Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Corporation (SFC) also supplies timber to sale depots falling in “C” zone areas.
He also claims that the online system is to be adopted for sale of timber in the state, so that people get the requisite sanctioned within the shortest possible time.
However, the timber applicants alleged that they have applied years before for the timber which has not been provided so far. “I have applied for the 50 fts of timber for the construction of house 5 years back. Since then I am being told the stock is not available”, said Abdul Rasheed Yatoo of Hayan Kangan.
The irony is that the State Forest Corporation and forest department is passing the responsibilities on each other. On one hand SFC who is now responsible for the timber supplies allegedly claims that the forest department has to provide the stock to them then only they can provide supply. On the other hand forest department says it is the SFC who has to provide the supply to the people. In between it is the common people who are facing the brunt.
Abdul Salaam Najar of Ganderbal said that he has applied for the requisite timber of 100 fts two years back adding that since then I am wondering between forest department and SFC. “The both government machineries are not shouldering the responsibility on pretext of one thing or the other. It is the common masses who suffer”.
While talking to PTK, Minister of State (MoS) Forest, Zahoor Mir said that all the previous sanctions are cancelled. “All those who need timber should go to SFC to avail the requisite supply”, he said. He adds, due to the current unrest in valley, the supply of timber stuck, admitting that the target of the department remain incomplete. He assured the complaints of people, if any would be addressed.
