Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 8
Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has appealed to Deputy Commissioner of Peren to direct the Peren CSOs to revoke the latter’s decision to totally prohibit the passage of unprocessed round logs from Peren district.
In a representation (dated December 6) to DC Peren on behalf of timber traders operating under Peren district, NTTU president, Kevise Sogotsu, argued that the Peren CSOs have no authority whatsoever to interfere with the working schemes duly approved by the government.
NTTU also apprised the DC that contrary to what had been alleged, timber traders had not been indulging in “rampant deforestation and exploitation of natural resources.”
“Our business is strictly regulated in terms of the working schemes approved by the concern authority from time to time,” the union stated.
Besides, NTTU pointed out that none of the sawmills presently functioning in Peren district have been approved by the authority concerned for processing round logs. “As such, there is no alternative but to transport the same to the approved mills outside the districts”, NTTU added.
NTTU further stated that in terms of the said working schemes, the timber traders operating in Peren district had already made investments to the tune of Rs. 6,67,55,709 (Rupees six crore, sixty seven lakh, fifty five thousands, seven hundred and nine). The union in the representation also enclosed a list of all timber traders together with the respective amount invested and copies of agreements executed with village authorities and landowners.
“As such, the imposition of the total ban has not only adversely affected their businesses but their livelihood as well, especially during this peak season”, the representation stated.
While requesting DC Peren to direct the CSOs to revoke their decision immediately, NTTU also stated that “in default”, the DC should issue directive to the Peren CSOs to “pay back the invested amount of Rs. 6,67,55,709 together with interest @ 12% per annum to the timber traders within 15 (fifteen) days” from the date of submission of the representation.
