Interested bidders from foreign countries are making a beeline for the Forest Department godowns in Chittoor, Kadapa and Nellore districts, ahead of the e-auction of red sander logs. Prospective buyers from China, Japan and Nepal visited the Tirupati godown on Thursday.
The department has facilitated entry of traders and their representatives into the godowns to check for the quality of the logs. The prerequisite for entry is that the bidders should have got registered with the MSTC Limited and they are required to produce their e-auction photo identity cards issued by the MSTC on arrival at the godowns. “The move aims at eliminating unscrupulous elements from gaining entry into our godowns,” said G. Srinivasulu, Divisional Forest Officer, Tirupati Wildlife Management Circle.
Similar is the condition for entry into the other six godowns in Bhakarapet (Chittoor), Addurupalli, Udayagiri, Venkatagiri (all Nellore), Kadapa and Kanigiri (Prakasam). “The quality of the logs is really good, but those have not been put to proper use all these days. The government has done a good thing by going for auction,” a representative of a customer from Fujian province in China told this newspaper. The prospective buyer is a leading furniture maker who is keen on making a bulk purchase.
While the actual sale/auction of the 4,160 metric tonnes of the precious log through the MSTC will be held from September 19 to 26 and visitors can personally inspect the logs up to 5 p.m. on September 17 at all the seven godowns.
