Yamunanagar, July 22
As many as 150 wood-based industries, including plywood manufacturing units and sawmills, in the district have been asked to close units within 10 days. The closure orders came after a Supreme Court judgment on October 30, 2002. The court had said that no state government or union territory would give permission to any wood-based industry until it gets a licence from a Central empowerment
committee.
The District Forest Officer (DFO), Mr M.P. Sharma, has been empowered to execute the orders by the Chief Secretary. The decision to close units was taken at a meeting in Chandigarh.
The closure of units means more than 15,000 daily-wage labourers would be rendered jobless. The state exchequer would also incur a loss of more than Rs 10 crore. As per industry sources, the cost of machinery of the affected units is more than Rs 50 crore. There are about 250 registered units in the district. Mr Sharma said the department was in the process of issuing notices.
Mr Davinder Chawla, president, Yamunanagar Plywood Association, said: “Poplar and eucalyptus, the raw material of the plywood industries, are agricultural produce and should be exempted from the orders.”
After the court ruling, the Industry and Forest Departments had carried out a survey of units. Later, a committee, comprising the DFO, the General Manager, Industries, Yamunanagar, and the SDM, shortlisted the units which were to be closed.
