Rana calls for vision document and focused policy to boost sales, efficiency
Srinagar, October 6: Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Javed Ahmed Rana on Monday directed the Forest Development Corporation (FDC) Limited and concerned agencies to set clear, measurable and time-bound monthly targets for timber marking, extraction, transportation and auction.
Rana issued the directions while chairing a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the functioning and issues of the Forest Development Corporation Limited.
Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment, Sheetal Nanda and Managing Director, Forest Development Corporation Limited, Dr K Anandh attended the meeting, while Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sarvesh Rai participated online.
The minister stressed the need to streamline the timber supply chain and ensure timely availability of quality timber to consumers at reasonable rates. He directed the authorities to complete the current year’s extraction before the onset of snowfall.
“We have to find a way to meet our targets and complete the extraction of the available timber for this year before the onset of snowfall. There should be no avoidable delay at any stage, from marking and extraction to transportation and auction,” Rana said.
He directed officers to fix monthly targets for all stages of timber operations and closely monitor their achievement. He also called for expediting the tendering process and removing procedural bottlenecks that could delay extraction and supply.
“The tendering process has to be streamlined and monthly targets must be fixed and monitored. There should be no slump in timber marking, as any delay at this stage ultimately affects extraction, transportation and availability of timber in the market,” he said.
Focus on timber quality and transparent auctioning
Rana directed the concerned authorities to ensure proper grading and quality assessment of timber and make quality timber available to consumers at reasonable and transparent rates.
“Our objective should be to make good-quality timber available to the people at reasonable rates. Proper grading, transparent auctioning and an efficient supply mechanism are essential to ensure that the benefit reaches the common man,” he said.
The minister called for a comprehensive review of the functioning of the Forest Development Corporation, including its monthly performance, sales, revenue generation and measures taken to improve operational efficiency.
He directed the officers to prepare a detailed vision document for the next two to three years, outlining targets for timber sales, revenue enhancement, operational reforms and improved public service delivery.
“We need to assess where the Corporation stands today, what steps have been taken to improve its functioning and what more needs to be done. A comprehensive MPR and a clear vision document with targets for the next two to three years should be prepared so that progress can be reviewed regularly and corrective measures taken wherever required,” Rana said.
Policy to boost sales
Rana also directed the authorities to formulate a focused policy to increase timber sales, strengthen market linkages and improve the efficiency of the timber supply chain.
He stressed that the measures should be aligned with sustainable management of forest resources while ensuring that the legitimate requirements of consumers are adequately met.
The minister also reviewed the status of auction depots and Central Timber Sale Depots (CTSDs) across Jammu & Kashmir.
He directed the concerned officers to address operational bottlenecks and ensure efficient functioning of the depots so that consumers have timely access to timber and do not face avoidable difficulties.
