Port Blair, June 12: The Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, A&N Administration to Complete Annual Stock Verification of Sawn Timber and Resume Sale at Government Saw Mill, Chatham as early as possible.

In a letter addressed to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, the Member of Parliament said that on 27^th March 2023, the Forest Department issued a Press Release stating that the sale of sawn timber at the Government Saw Mill, Chatham would remain closed from April 1 to 15, 2023, in connection with the Annual Stock Verification of Sawn Timber. However, the closure duration has been extended without any further notice to the public, and until today, the sale of sawn timber at the Government Saw Mill, Chatham, has remained closed, he added.

The MP pointed out that the prolonged closure is causing immense inconvenience to the public who are in urgent need of timber for various purposes.

He said that a large number of applications are pending with the Forest Department and individuals are anxiously awaiting the resumption of the sale of sawn timber from the Government Saw Mill, Chatham. The current situation is hampering the progress of construction projects, repairs, and other essential activities that require timber as a vital resource.

He requested the PCCF to expedite the completion of the Annual Stock Verification of Sawn Timber at the Government Saw Mill, Chatham as soon as possible and resume the sale of sawn timber from the Government Saw Mill, Chatham.