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M.P. Fixation of Rates for Timber and Other Minor Produce (Extension) Rules, 1974

The M.P. Fixation of Rates for Timber and Other Minor Produce (Extension) Rules, 1974

Published vide Notification No. 2733-2406-10-2-74, Published in M.P. Rajpatra (Asadharan), dated 22-6-1974 (w.e.f. 22-6-1974)

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In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 76 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (XVI of 1927), the State Government hereby makes the following rules, namely :

  1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Madhya Pradesh Fixation of Rates for Timber and other Minor Produce (Extension) Rules, 1974.

(2) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the "Madhya Pradesh Gazette".

  1. Extension of Rule 114 of Chapter XX of the Central Provinces and Berar Forest Manual Volume I.- Rule 114 of Chapter XX the Central Provinces and Berar Forest Manual Volume I and as in force in the Mahakoshal region immediately before the commencement of these rules, is hereby extended to all the other regions of the State.
  2. Rates for timber and other minor forest produce.- The rates for timber and forest produce will be fixed from time to time, district by district, by the Commissioner and Conservator in consultation. Conservators are authorised to reduce sanctioned rates for forests produce with the concurrence of the Collectors concerned. All changes in rates should be communicated to the Commissioner. Separate rates will be prescribed in regard to the kinds and classes of produce as follows :

For the purpose of fixing rates, timber in the ground not exceeding 60 cms. in girth at 1.37 m. from the ground or 120 cms. from the but will be classed as "poles" in distinct to "trees".

Timber

Class I

The rates for "poles" will be per pole not exceeding 30, 45 and 60 cms. in girth and also by the cart-load; for trees they should by cubic contents per tree not exceeding 90-120 cms. and above 120 cms. in girth or by the place for trees over 60 cms. in girth. No cart-load rates will be allowed for trees.

Class II

One set of rates for all "poles" with separate rates for cart-loads, kawar-loads (if necessary) and head-loads. For "trees", the rates should be per cart-load, and per tree not exceeding 90,120 cms. and above 120 cms. in girth by cubic contents or bv the piece for trees over 60 cms. in girth.

Class III

For "poles" as for Class II.

For "trees" from 60 to 90 cms. a cart-load rate only; for trees over 90 cms. cart-load rate or by cubic contents or by the over 60 cms. in girth.

Fuel

The rate for dry fuel only to be fixed.

The rates should be fixed by the cart, kawar and head-loads only. Animal and other loads should be assessed on these, when necessary. A monthly rate for the collection of head-loads for dry fuel will be introduced by Conservators, when required.

Grass

It is desirable to prescribe separate rates for fodder and thatching grass, since the price of the former should be as low as possible. Also, whenever, Ischaemum angustifolium (sum, sabai) grass occurs in any appreciable quantity a considerably higher rate should be fixed, as this grass is a valuable Commercial commodity. The rates should be by cart, kawar and head-loads

Other Produce

  1. Rates should be as few and simple as possible.
  2. Special rates for manufactured articles, such as axles, felloes, etc., should be avoided, payment being assessed by "tree" or "pole" required to produce them.
  3. The rates should invariably be based on cart, kawar or head-load.
  4. No rate or difference between any two rates should be less than one piece, and after four annas is reached the rates should not deal with sums differing by less than half an anna.
  5. Monthly permits to remove one head-load daily of certain kinds of produce should be issued.
  6. The rates for bamboos should be confined to head-load, cart-loads, and per 100.

114-A. Valuation of timber for purposes of writing off. - A Timber and firewood may be written of the stock forms for three reasons only :-

(i) On account of loss by theft, etc.

(ii) On account of destruction by fire.

(iii) On account of its being unsaleable.

In each case it is the Divisional Forest Officer's personal responsibility to fix a valuation and to provide a certificate.

The useful life of cut timber and firewood in the forest will be presumed to be five years and that of bamboos to be two years. For other commodities their utility limit will depend on their nature. The valuation of timber and firewood to be written off will be made as follows in each and the Divisional Forest Officer will provide the certificate prescribed below :-

As regards-

(i) The certificate will state that the enquiry into the loss has been completed and the loss reported, according to standing orders. The valuation will be made according to the sale-ability of the material at the place where the loss occurred. In the case, for example, of felled timber in a coupe, the estimated value, if auctioned in site, will be taken. The estimate should be based on the price obtained for similar material in the same locality. If no felled material has been sold in that locality the price of standing material may be taken and exploitation costs added. In the case, for example of a jungle passed railway sleeper being lost, the value of a passed sleeper (at railhead) less cost of transport will be taken. The above valuations may be reduced by one-fifth of the original value for every year which elapsed between the date when the loss occurred and the date when the material was felled or converted. The minimum permissible valuation at the end of any year should be its residual value at the end of the year or its firewood value at the schedule of rates plus the cost of production whichever is greater. The latter will hold good up to the end of .10 years after 10 years the cost of production only will represent the value.

(ii) The certificate will state the known or presumed causes of destruction and that all reasonable efforts have been made to ascertain the latter. The valuation will be as for loss above.

(iii) The certificate will state that every reasonable effort has been made to sell the material and that no useful purpose will be served by retaining it on the stock forms.

Up to the end of 10 years the valuation will be at privileged firewood rates plus any costs of production. Thereafter only the cost of production will represent the value. The Divisional Forest Officer must use this discretion allowed to him with great care and caution. He is personally responsible for seeing that no valuable timber is described "unsaleable", i.e., as being firewood only.