J&K SFC to provide 5 lakh Cft timber to consumers

Srinagar, Oct 3 (UNI) In order to check the shortage of timber created for some vested interests, the Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Corporation (SFC) will provide five lakh Cft timber to consumers in the state during the current year, an official spokesman said today.

Taking a strong note of artificial shortage of timber, Minister of State for Forest and Agriculture Aijaz Ahmad Khan has directed the Forest authorities to ensure sufficient supply of timber to consumers as per their requirements.

Any laxity in supply of timber would be viewed seriously, he warned.

Reviewing the achievements of State Forest Corporation, the Minister was apprised that five lakh Cft timber was being provided to the consumers of Kashmir valley in the current year.

He was told that as much as 80,000 Cft timber worth Rs three crore was provided to the consumers of Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts in south Kashmir from August 2006 to August 2007. Out of this, 50,000 Cfts of timber was made available to them during current year.

All pending sanctions of last year regarding supply of timber have been cleared upto March 2007 and sanctions for current fiscal year were being processed on priority.

UNI