Question : BAN ON SAW MILLS IN NER

(a) whether certain categories of saw mills in the NER were banned from secondary of timber for furniture etc;

(b) If so, details thereof indicating types of ban imposed on specific category of timber and the duration of such ban;

(c) whether the Central Empowered Committee had consulted the concerned State Governments on their demand for lifting the ban on wood-based industries on furniture, electrical and sports goods etc;

(d) If so, whether a decision was taken up in this regard; and

(e) If not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a) to (e) The Hon’ble Supreme Court by order dated 15.01.1998 and 12/05/2001 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 202/1995 has issued detailed direction for working of wood based industries in the North-Eastern States. Pursuant to the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s orders, wood-based industries are required to shift to Industrial Estates approved for wood-based industries and function only therein. The Central Empowered Committee has not issued any specific direction for functioning of secondary wood based industries in the North Eastern States.