WE THE PEOPLE
By ignoring specific guidelines, stock losses of State Forest Corporation have aggregated to Rs. 272 crores over a span of 27 years
Hence people demand implementation of directives of Board of Directors to minimize losses due to floods, fire and thefts
By: M. Shirjeel
Srinagar: There is established practice that after taking over the marked trees from the Forest Department, the State Forest Corporation allots the work to the contractors for extraction and transportation. It has been noticed that there had been delays in taking over the markings from the Forest Department vis-à-vis allotment of works to the contractors and in the start of execution of works by the contractors. The scrutiny of 466 cases test checked in the Divisions of Anantnag, Baderwah, Doda, Ganderbal, Kashtiwar East, Kashtiwar West, PP West, Ramban, Udhampor and Zangli, there had been delays in 139 cases ranging between one month and four years during 2001-06 in the start of works by the contractors. The delay as such in allotment and execution of works resulted in deterioration in the quality of fallen trees, thereby affecting their out-turn. This is a serious lapse.
As a matter of policy, the petty contractors were to be encouraged and hence the Board of Directors had decided in 1998 to allot contracts of lower magnitude for extraction and transportation to them. These works were, however, to be restricted to 33% of the total markings in a Division, subject to a maximum of 20,000 cfts, while remaining 67% works were to be allotted after invitation of tenders. The scrutiny of records of six Divisions namely Anantnag, Ganderbal, Kishtwar East, Kishtwar West, PP West and Udhampor revealed that in violation of the directives of Board of Directors, the Corporation allotted 13.95 lakh cfts of markings for extraction and transportation on daily rate basis exceeding the stipulated limit of 33%. Further in 95 cases in 10 Divisions of Anantnag, Baderwah, Doda, Ganderbal, Kishtwar East, Kashtiwar West, PP West-Srinagar, Ramban, Udhampor and Zangli, 52.83 lakh cfts of markings were allotted to labour mates during the same period, in excess of the prescribed limit of 20,000 cfts of markings.
It is unfortunate to learn that there is no adequate measurement system in the Extraction Divisions of the Corporation. There is a procedure that after extraction, the timber is stocked at transit depots and thereafter transported to the sale depots. A detailed scrutiny of the records has revealed that there was no reliable measurement system in the Extraction Divisions. In two Sales Divisions North and South of Kashmir Region, 3.31 lakh cfts of timber valued at Rs. 8.50 crore was found in excess, while in Jammu Region, there was a shortage of 4.10 lakh cfts valued at Rs. 10.53 crore between the quantity of timber supplied by the Extraction Division and the timber actually received at the Sales Divisions during the period 2001-07.
As stated above, there is a set procedure for extraction and sale in vogue in the Corporation, but scrutiny of records of Baderwah Extraction Division revealed that the Corporation has extracted 59,835 scants equivalent to 1.63 lakh cfts. The timber, after its extraction was put to Mahan on its way to loading point, but it was observed that out of 59,835 scants, 57194 scants were shown to have been received at the loading station, showing thereby loss of 2641 scants during downstream transportation. This was indicative of defective measurement system. Besides due to improper arrangement at the Extraction Sites, the stock is prone to various risks like fire, thefts, pilferage and deterioration due to prolonged stocking. It has been observed that the Corporation has not evolved any suitable mechanism to ensure that the extraction work and transportation of stock to the sale depots was carried out in a manner so as to minimize these risks. Scrutiny of the records has further revealed that the Corporation had suffered loss of seven lakh cfts of timber, costing Rs. 23.33 crore, during the extraction and transportation of stock.
“It is astonishing to learn that the losses suffered by the Corporation have not been properly investigated and no corrective measures taken to check recurrence of such discrepancies. It is also learnt that the Corporation has not gone for insurance cover against recurring losses to safeguard it interests. It is also shocking to learn that huge stocks of timber are kept in open and no remedial measures taken to thwart weather action. This shows lack of interest on the part of the officials working in the Corporation,” said a group of knowledgeable persons of Kashmir Valley.
Hence people demand implementation of directives of Board of Directors to minimize losses due to floods, fire and thefts. It becomes obligatory on the part of the officials manning the State Forest Corporation to follow guidelines, protect property and plug all loopholes so that State’s wealth is safeguarded. .............. ...................................................................................................(To be continued).
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