Shimla July 29 2024 : In a decisive move to optimize the operations of the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation (HPFSDC), Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired the 214th Board of Directors meeting held today. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the clearance of timber wood stock from the corporation’s depots to prevent deterioration and financial loss.
The Chief Minister also recommended empowering Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) and HPFSDC staff to expedite tree felling for linear projects, following initial Forest Conservation Act (FCA) approvals, to mitigate project delays.
In a notable expansion of the corporation’s activities, HPFSDC is set to commence mining operations in the Beas River once FCA clearance is secured. Additionally, Sukhu instructed the corporation to blacklist defaulting contractors, pursue recovery actions, and exclude them from future tenders.
The Chief Minister lauded HPFSDC’s financial performance, highlighting profits of Rs. 2.17 crore in 2021-22, Rs. 8 crore in 2022-23, and Rs. 10.04 crore in 2023-24. He announced the recruitment of 100 Van Veers to address staffing needs and pledged state support to enhance the corporation’s self-sufficiency and profitability.
The Board of Directors approved several employee welfare measures, including a bonus for the fiscal year 2022-23 for approximately 227 employees, an increase in daily wages to Rs. 400 for daily wage workers, and a 4 percent Dearness Allowance (DA) hike effective April 1, 2024. Furthermore, 80 employees who have served for two years on a contractual basis will be regularized.
In response to last year’s monsoon damage, Sukhu noted that the sale of timber from 618 damaged trees in Shimla City generated a profit of Rs. 2.50 crore. The corporation also contributed Rs. 51 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman HPFSDC Kehar Singh Khachi, Principal Secretary Forest Amandeep Garg, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, PCCF (HoFF) Rajeev Kumar, MD HPFSDC Pabnesh Sharma, Special Secretary (Finance) Rohit Jamwal, and various non-official members and senior officers of HPFSDC.
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