Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced Goods and Service Tax (GST) generated e-way bills as transit permits in timber trade to save time, and also to encourage trade.
The Forest Department has notified new rules regulating”transportation of forest produces” under Jammu and Kashmir Forest ProduceTransit Rules, 2020 which has has replaced ‘River Rules of December 16, 1907,and Land Transport Rules of 448 of 1935.’
Under the new rules, a printout of e-way bill generated fromthe Goods and Service Tax (GST) will be considered as transit permit fortransportation of forest produce.
“If someone transporting timbers from outside to Jammu andKashmir after paying GST and have e-way bill, then he/she does not have to getform-25 from J&K on his entry,” said the officer.
“We have introduced the new rules to save the time,” saidthe officer.
He said the Union Government has also started the processfor intruding GST e-way bills to be considered as transit permits across thecountry for forest produce.
“The new rules will encourage individuals who are in thisbusiness and there is no need for transit permit for transportation of timberobtained for trees like popular, eucalyptus, willow, kikar which are generallyraised by the farmers on their private land.”
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Forest Produce (sale andregistration of depot) rules 2020 have also been notified.
“These rules provide for one-time registration of forestproduce sale depots, and periodic renewal of registration under the previous ruleshas been done away with the timber traders as well as farmers of Jammu andKashmir which will benefit from simplification of both the rules.”
The new rules give impetus to farm forestry and wood-basedindustries as well as to provide a robust framework for protection of forestsand biodiversity.
“Depot registration will now be required for those who tradein some valuable non-timber forest produce like guchhi and 13 others. Thisprovision has been incorporated to check illegal trade in such species whicherodes biodiversity of Jammu and Kashmir and causes losses to the revenueexchequers,” the officer added.