Punjab Regulation of Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries Rules, 2006
No: -- Dated: Jul, 07 2006
GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTS
NOTIFICATION
No. G.S.R.34/C.A.16/1927/Sections 41, 42, 51 and 76/2006. - In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 41, 42, 51 and 76 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (Central Act No. 16 of 1927), and all other powers enabling him in this behalf, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to make the following rules for regulating the operation of Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries in the State of Punjab, namely :-
1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These rules may be called the Punjab Regulation of Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries Rules, 2006.
(2) They shall come into force on and effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions. - (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) "Act" means the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (Central Act No. 16 of 1927);
(b) "Divisional Forest Officer" means the Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial) in the district;
(c) "Form" means the Form appended to these rules;
(d) "Licence" means the licence issued under these rules;
(e) "Principal Chief Conservator" means the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Punjab;
(f) "Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries" shall include timber depots, saw mills, veneer, plywood including units without any facility for veneer production, particle board, MDF, block board, paper pulp, rayon and any other unit of cutting or converting timber for manufacturing wood based products;
(g) "Section" means section of the Act;
(h) "State Government" means the Government of the State of Punjab in the Department of Forests; and
(2) The words and expressions used in these rules, but not defined shall have the same meanings as assigned to them in the Act.
3. Restriction on establishment of Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries. - (Sections 41 and 76) - No person shall establish, expand installed capacity or operate any Saw Mills, Veneer, Plywood Industries including the existing unit, unless a licence is obtained by him in accordance with these rules.
4. Application for grant of licence. - (Section 41) - Any person, seeking a licence under these rules, shall make an application to the Divisional Forest Officer in Form I.
5. Grant of licence. - (Section 41) - On receipt of an application under rule 4, the Divisional Forest Officer, shall make such inquiry, as he deems fit and after satisfying himself that such application is in accordance with the guidelines, issued by the State Government from time to time, may grant licence in the Form II, for a period of ten years or may refuse to grant the licence for the reasons, to be recorded in writing and inform the applicant, accordingly.
6. Fee for grant of licence. - (Section 41) - The person seeking licence, shall pay such fee, as may be specified by the State Government from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette.
7. Renewal of licence. - (Section 41) - (1) Any person who has been granted licence under rules, may apply for renewal of the licence in Form I within a period of six months before the expiry of the period for which licence was granted to him alongwith such fee, as may be specified by the State Government from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette,
(2) On receipt of an application under sub-rule (1), the Divisional Forest Officer, after satisfying himself that such application is in accordance with the guidelines issued by the State Government from time to time, shall renew the licence within a period of thirty day for the period, for which it was originally granted.
(3) In case, the renewal of licence is refused, the Divisional Forest Officer shall provide an opportunity of being heard to the person concerned and record the reasons for refusing such renewal.
8. Maintenance of record. - (Section 41) - (1) Every licence shall maintain proper record of the receipt and disposal of timber in Form III.
(2) The licensee shall produce the record for scrutiny and checking of the timber, whenever it is required by the Divisional Forest Officer or any other officer authorised by him.
9. Power to search the premises. - (Section 41) - The Divisional Forest Officer or any other officer authorised by him, may at any time, enter the premises of licensed saw mills, veneer, plywood industrial unit with a view to ascertain the genuineness of the licence or to check the timber.