Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak conducts surprise checking at Mattewara Jungle Depot

Fact finding Committee constituted for detailed physical verification of cut timber stock lying at all depots of Phillaur division

Chandigarh, March 20:

The Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak paid a surprise visit to Mattewara Jungle depot in Ludhiana. He conducted a thorough checking of all the wooden logs stored in the said depot.

These logs were stored in the depot after felling of green standing trees from Ludhiana- Rahon Road. The felling of the trees were ordered after getting due approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India.

The PSFDC took swift measures given below as per the directions of the Forest Minister. A fact finding committee comprising of the members of Forest department and PSFDC under the chairmanship of a Chief General Manager, a senior IFS Officer has been constituted for detailed physical verification of cut timber stock lying at all depots of Phillaur division.

Due to certain anomalies found during the checking, the Minister has ordered transfer of the concerned Regional Manager and the concerned Project Officer and other field staff has been shifted from current posting and felling on the above said road has been stopped immediately. The

Inter-regional committees have been constituted for annual stock taking and strict disciplinary action shall be taken immediately for any discrepancy, if found, in physical verification.

There are two procedures to dispose off trees by the Punjab State Forest Development Corporation (PSFDC). One is

Through auction on e-procurement portal number and direct felling by the Forest Corporation if trees are standing in the block forest or the felling charges have been deposited by the concerned department which is PWD.

In case of Ludhiana Rahon road, the PWD has deposited the requisite amount.

The PSFDC disposes off most of the standing trees and cut timber through tender cum auction on Government e-procurement portal which is highly transparent and is realising highly competitive rates. The Cut timber obtained from felling of standing trees is stored in the depot before disposal.