Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 17: Several joinery mills are operating without licences in north Kashmir even as the authorities have failed in initiating timely action against the violators.
As per details, in Kanispora of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, there are around 20 such mills that are registered and have got valid licences issued to them while at the same time, 30 more are there that are operating without licences
Also in Baramulla town, there are 12 joinery mills out of which 6 are without licences. Residents alleged that forest Department officials are hand in glove with these illegal joinery mill owners.
However, the officials told Excelsior that they have been acting against the violators and that the same will continue in the future as well.
However, they said that the department is mulling to amend the rules and regulations aimed at adding to the ease of doing business, under which registrations will be carried out, particularly the cases of educated youth willing to set up joinery mills will be prioritized.
It is to be noted here that there is a particular quota as per which the licences to the joinery mills are issued However, since 2017, hardly any fresh licences have been issued, causing mushrooming of illegal joinery mills.
“Under the amended rules, the existing joinery mills that are operating without licences will also be accommodated in that because that does not have any link with the quota,” the officials said, adding that they are expecting headway by the end of March or with the start of April.
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