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| NC members protest against minister’s reply on forest fires | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Jan 16
The Legislative council today witnessed uproarious scene during the question hour when opposition members protested over the unsatisfactory reply given by Minister of state for forests,Mr G.M.Saroori,to the question tabled by the PDP member,Nizam-ud-Din Bhat.
Bhat had wanted information on the number of forest fires having taken place in various areas of the state during the last month.He wanted to know the losses to the timber wealth in these fire incidents.
Saroori,in his reply,informed the House that total number of forest fire incidents were 297 where 978 hectares of the forest area was burnt and 336 trees were burnt.This reply saw opposition NC members on their feet alongwith the PDP member.They protested against the unsatisfactory reply on the plea that the damage to the timber wealth had been huge.Mr Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said that the figures were inadequate and he suspected a nexus between the security forces and the timber smugglers which had depleted the forest wealth.
As tempers ran high the Forest Minister,Qazi Mohd.Afzal intervened and the moment he started replying the NC members were on their feet seen disrupting the proceedings.
The Qazi suggested to the NC members to first listen to his reply and then raise hue and cry.He said the Government was trying to investigate into the reasons behind forest fires and those involved in it would be exposed shortly.He said that the written reply pertained to the specific question raised in the House.
When NC member Devinder Rana suggested that a House committee be set up to to survey the extent of loss Qazi Afzal rejected the suggestion and said that “we will examine the matter and submit a report to the council.” He said if the members were not satisfied the demand for setting up a House Committee could be considered.
The Qazi said that 153 vehicles had been impounded for carrying illcit timber and 65000 cubic feet timber had been seized.He said that the state Government has sent a Rs.29crore scheme for the upgradation of forests to the centre for sanction. |
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