Khattar slashes lumber market fee by 1% for plywood operators

Addressing a “Jan Samvad programme” in Yamunanagar Sunday, Khattar spoke about plans to conduct a survey of old colonies in the state -- some of which have legal status while others remain unauthorized.

Khattar directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that all government facilities for persons with disabilities are effectively delivered in the district. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

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Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Sunday addressed the longstanding demand of plywood factory operators in Yamunanagar by reducing the market fee on the purchase of lumber from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. Earlier opposing double tax — GST at the rate of 28 per cent on plywood and 2 per cent local market fee on poplar and eucalyptus (farmers produce) — over a thousand industries in Yamunanagar, known as country’s plywood manufacturing hub and one of Asia’s largest timber markets, had launched an agitation in 2017.

The latest decision, the government expects, is likely to yield an annual profit of over Rs 8 crore for the local plywood factory operators. According to the government, the Chief Minister has provided the “much-needed relief to the operators” while recognizing the challenges they faced due to the post-Covid slowdown in business.

Addressing a “Jan Samvad programme” in Yamunanagar Sunday, Khattar spoke about plans to conduct a survey of old colonies in the state — some of which have legal status while others remain unauthorized. “The goal is to legalize these colonies within the next 4-5 months.”

He added that a physical survey will be carried out for families grappling with high electricity bills due to their business activities. “Based on this survey, appropriate facilities will be extended to these families. Additionally, families working in various occupations, such as auto drivers, washermen, iron-workers, barbers, and carpenters, will also receive support.”

Highlighting the progress in providing essential services to the public, he shared that the number of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders in Yamunanagar district has increased from 55,693 in December 2022 to 71,388 at present, with approximately 16,000 new cards issued in just seven months. He announced that all BPL cardholders would now receive two liters of mustard oil, removing the previous Rs 12,000 per month electricity bill threshold for BPL families.

The CM underscored the government’s efforts to digitize public services and deliver information through mobile platforms. A survey will be conducted to identify families without mobile phones, with the aim of providing them with mobile facilities to access online services.

He directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that all government facilities for persons with disabilities are effectively delivered in the district. He also said that the state government had successfully completed flyover projects connecting Delhi to Chandigarh.

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