Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 16: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today directed the officers for taking the necessary steps to allow the transportation of the Khair Wood by the farmers of the State within and outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting convened to discuss the Khair Wood issue here today.
It was attended by Chief Secretary BB Vyas, Advocate General Jahangir Iqbal Ganai, Commissioner /Secretary Forest, Commissioner /Secretary Revenue, Commissioner /Secretary Law and Managing Director State Forest Corporation.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed for immediate redressal of the issue which has arisen out of not allowing the transportation of the Khair Wood by certain vested interests on some non-existent grounds.
He said that since it involves a huge chunk of the State’s population the onus lies on the Government to settle the issue as early as possible.
Dr. Singh also directed the officers for providing the Form 25 to the farmers who are desirous of transporting the Khair Wood. He said that the same would go a long way in checking the steep hike in the price of the wood being sold to the people and also provide the necessary source of income to the people who have been cultivating the same for commercial purposes
It is pertinent to mention that the Apex Court has recently lifted the ban on the transportation of the Khair Wood and certain quarters are citing some reasons and forcing the farmers to sell the Khair Wood at a rate lower than that prevalent in our neighboring States.
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