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In B-Zone 'illegal' band saw units, sale depots running contemporarily, Forest department turns blind eye Saw mills set up in violation of SC guidelines, Forest department in slumber 7/28/2015 11:15:52 PM Saahil Suhail Early Times Report Anantnag, July 28: In violation of the norms laid down by the Supreme Court for setting up of band saw mills, dozens of such units are functioning illegally in Anantnag district of South Kashmir. Officials in the forest department blame militancy for the mess and say that the 'illegal' band saw units were set-up by the violators in the same period. "All these band saw units were set up by people in nineties when militancy was at its peak and are functional since then," an official pleading anonymity told Early Times. He said that due to political interference and corruption, department hasn't initiated any satisfactory process or taken any action for closing down these illegal units which have became viable platform for timber smuggling. Official sources said that norms band saw units are functioning in B and C zone areas. "In B-zone such units are totally banned but in the district at many places falling under B-zone such units are functional," they said. Reports said that band saw mills are mostly functioning in Lidder Forest Division of Bijbehara and in Kuthar Range of Forest Division Anantnag. "Recently when I asked a violator to produce documents of his Band saw mill which he has set up in the village falling under B-Zone area, the owner of the mill told me that his grandfather was freedom fighter and Sheikh Mohd Abdullah had allowed them to run the unit," a middle rung officer said. He said that from past over years, senior officials are also allowing sale depots to run illegally. "Now they have opened another business. One can see every where sale depots and planners even in the areas falling under A-zone which is totally fraud and illegal," officer said. Locals accused forest department of receiving hefty amount from the owners of such units running illegally. "Tainted and corrupt officials have failed to act against the Band saw owners who continue to take the law for a ride," Reyaz Ahmad, a Bijbehara resident said. Minister for Forest and Environment, Bali Baght assured action. "Action will be taken against these violators," he said, while expressing ignorance about such kind of violations.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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