2929
Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Apr 18: On one hand the Forest Department says that sawing/ re-sawing permission has not been granted to any furniture unit or sale depot, except five makeshift units, members of local wood based industry allege that several mill owners are using medium level saw mills openly and illegally.
“Certain furniture units & sawmills are already involved in sawing and re-sawing of imported timbers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands but no action has been taken against them by the Forest Department,” added some saw mill owners of South Andaman as well as North and Middle Andaman in a letter addressed to the Deputy Conservator of Forest (P&M).
These Saw Mill owners have already written a letter to the Deputy Conservator of Forest demanding permission so that they can also begin sawing and re-sawing works.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha a few local Saw Mill owners said that according to a reply they received through RTI No. F.4(RTI) 31/256 179 dt 210/2012 “Sawing/Re-sawing permission has not been granted to any furniture units or sale depot except the 05 Make shift Units” but there are many local sawing units who are involved in Sawing of imported timbers and this is in well knowledge of Department.
“If the Department is allowing Sawing of timbers to some Sawing units then why we were denied permission? Why this double standard?” questions an owner of local Sawing unit.
