ASSAM: MINISTER PARIMAL SUKLABAIDYA INITIATES CHANGES IN FOREST DEPARTMENT

Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya has initiated several changes in the administration of the forest department with a view to strengthening the functioning of the department. In association with the revenue department and Assam police a special team has been constituted for the purpose of verifying the existing irregularity and initiation of corrective measures.The team has already started functioning in Cachar district.

Speaking to INSIDENE , Parimal Suklabaidya said that the newly formed team started to work upon giving identity cards to the vehicles which were used in mining activities and also, lighter vehicles carrying mining products would be registered under the forest department for now onwards. He also said that new rules will be set up for the mining activities and make an act amendment for the betterment of the department.

The vehicles would be under strict vigil, measures have been taken to confront the menace of fake challans. Steps have been taken to use a specially prepared paper for forest challans. It has been pointed out that it would not be possible to make the special paper for fake challans, he added.

New online revenue will be started soon in the upcoming month for the development of the forest department. Although the forest department has also officially provided the information that tax evaded to the department around Rs 2, 87,106 which has been recovered during raids in may. In June till date, Rs 1, 78, 914 of evaded tax to the forest department has been recovered. He also said about taking strict actions against the illegal transportation of logs through rivers and vigilance on rivers which are enhanced. From the last few days a sizable quantity of logs/timber has been recovered as per official information.

Some initials steps are also taken for the Kaziranga National Park for the poaching of rhino. Already anti poaching drive is taken for which the rate of rhino poaching is degraging day by day. Further he took the initiative to keep the sustainability and requested the Deputy Commisioner to start Afforestation.