The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Stringent measures to check red sanders smuggling on cards

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Monday, Jan 05, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Stringent measures to check red sanders smuggling on cards

Special Correspondent

Special scheme for protection of forest wealth, special force to check teak smuggling soon
Chief Minister assures ordinance, if necessary, after examining the draft plan

HYDERABAD: The Forest Department is considering stringent measures to check smuggling of red sanders and other valuable teak wood from forests.

The department is evolving a special scheme for protection of forest wealth incorporating several features including constitution of a special force to check teak smuggling. The issue was represented to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy recently and the Chief Minister had asked the department to come up with a draft plan.

“The Chief Minister has assured to promulgate ordinance, if necessary, after examining the draft proposals of the department,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests C. Siva Sankara Reddy said. He was speaking at the general body meeting of the AP Forest Range Officers’ Association here on Sunday.

Mr. Reddy said the government had also agreed to provide funds for creating necessary infrastructure to enable the field level forest officials to discharge their duties effectively.

“The government has responded positively to the demands made by the department and efforts are underway to resolve issues relating to promotions of the staff,” he said.

Forests and Environment Minister S. Vijayarama Raju who was chief guest said the government was committed to protect the interests of the employees. “But, the officers and staff should make sure that they don’t belittle themselves. The forest range officers, in fact, enjoy more respect than the Minister, at the field level,” he said. The Minister released the diary brought out by the association and the monthly journal ‘Vana Premi’.

Association president K. Sudarshan Reddy welcomed and general secretary D.V. Reddy presented an overview of the association’s activities and the service conditions of the staff.

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