Srinagar, May 12: People in Jammu and Kashmir would have to cough up more money for timber purchase for construction purposes as the state cabinet on Wednesday approved enhancement in timber rates. However, there was no decision on the employees’ demands, withdrawal of ESMA and the proposed transfer policy.
The cabinet, which met this evening under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, approved Degree College for Sumbal in Bandipora and okayed transfer of land at several places in
the Jammu and Kashmir regions for road construction.
 The revised rates of Deodar per cubic feet in log form in A, B and C zones would be respectively Rs 185, Rs 345 and Rs 513 against the existing rates of Rs 161, Rs 246 and Rs 495.
 A cubic feet of Kail in log form in A, B and C zones would now cost Rs 130, Rs 450 and Rs 205 respectively against the existing rates of Rs 102, Rs 160 and Rs 286. While the new rates for per cubic feet of Fir in log form in A, B and C zones would be Rs 74, Rs 138 and Rs 205 against the existing rates of Rs 69, Rs 120 and Rs 197.
 Sources said the rates were revised as per the past practice of the revision after every three years. “The enhancement in rates was necessitated due to the fact that the department had to dole out more money vis-a-vis labor and other charges for taking the timber to sale depots,” forest department sources said.
 The cabinet has also approved increase of Rs 60 per quintal for firewood against the existing rates of Rs 130 for general public and the rates for mosques and other religious places have been revised to Rs 130.
 Approving the transfer of forest land for road construction, sources told Greater Kashmir the cabinet agreed that the delay in the process was hampering the development process which in turn would escalate the cost of the projects.
 The state government had already given powers to the District Development Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners of the two regions to clear the private land cases up to Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore for construction of the roads.
 The cabinet approved setting up of a Degree College at Sumbal in district Bandipora.
 The cabinet also approved construction of a Cricket Stadium in Jammu.
 Sources said none of the employees’ demands including enhancement in the retirement age, payment of arrears pending since January 2006 and other were not taken into consideration in the cabinet.
 Pertinently, thousands of employees’ have not been paid the April salary pending a decision regarding the strike period.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 IST