Shimla: Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation has earned profit of Rs. 15.50 crore during current financial year for carrying different activities and business, turnover of Rs. 206.97 crore against the target of Rs. 195.33 crore for the year. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, while presiding over the 167th Meeting of the Board of Directors of HP State Forest Development Corporation held here under his Chairmanship today.
Chief Minister said that Forest Corporation was one of the profit making public sector undertaking in the State and had emerged a source of inspiration to rest of the public sector undertakings in the State. He said that the Corporation had been responsible not only for the sale of forest produce but also in manufacturing of its by-products. He said that the Corporation had sold timber worth Rs. 137.53 crore against the target of Rs. 116.86 crore which was 18 percent higher achievement. He said that rosin and turpentine worth Rs. 69.38 crore had been sold compared to the target of Rs. 49.78 crore which was Rs. 26.27 crore, 61 percent higher to the previous year. He said that the rosin products of the State had been rated as best in quality in the international market and was in great demand in the market. He said that the joinery unit of the Corporation located at Shamshi in Kullu district had come into operation and quality timber by-products were being manufactured which were gaining market with the users. He said that the Corporation had disbursed financial benefits worth Rs. 12 crore to its employees over implementation of 5th Pay Commissioin Recommendations, dearness allowance and arrears etc. He said that all the financial benefits due to the employees had been cleared.
Prof. Dhumal said underlined the need to upgrade marketing strategies and make concerted efforts to diversify its business activities to earn more profits. He said the Corporation needed to lift the fallen trees in the forests and convert the same into timber for allotment to the eligible stake holders. He said that efforts needed to be made to increase the rosin production so that more revenue was earned to the Corporation. He said that the Corporation had vast scope of diversifying its activities which needed to be explored. He said that efforts needed to be made to make Himachal forest product ‘Brand Product’ in the international market. He said that people in the rural areas also needed to be educated about the ecological benefits of the forests and motivated to protect the same for environment purposes to beat the challenges posed by global warming and climate change.
Chief Minister congratulated the Corporation for its spectacular achievements and emerging a profit earning public sector undertaking which was bound to inspire rest of loss bearing organizations to work hard and earn profit for their organization.
Board approved Rs. 7,000 per quintal rate for procurement of resin during the ensuing season compared to Rs. 5250 during preceding year. It also decided to provide sports grant of Rs. 60,000 to the State Level Sports Committee to give boost to sport activities amongst the employees and motivate them to participate in inter-state and national level sports events. It has also been decided to donate Rs. 31 lakh out of the profit earned as contribution towards Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Shri S.Roy, Additional Chief Secretary (Forests), welcomed the Chief Minister, and detailed achievements of the Corporation.
Shri R.K.Gupta, Managing Director of the Corporation, conducted proceedings of the Meeting and informed that all the decisions taken in the earlier Board Meeting had been implemented in letter and spirit. He thanked Chief Minister for his guidance which had motivated the Corporation to work more dedicatedly to bring into profit. He assured the Chief Minister that the Corporation would be working more vigorously to increase its profit margin in coming financial year further.
Shri Vinay Tandon, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri A.C.Sharma, Executive Director, HP State Forest Corporation, Shri K.K.Pant, Secretary Finance and non-official members of the Board were also present in the Meeting.