TFP Bureau, Raipur; August 12, 2024: In a significant move to modernize timber auctions and enhance transparency, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, alongside Union Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav, inaugurated the electronic auction (e-auction) system at Aranya Bhawan in Nava Raipur today. The event also saw the unveiling of the newly constructed state-of-the-art ‘Dandakaranya’ auditorium, built by the Forest Department at a cost of Rs. 2 crore.
The e-auction system is expected to introduce a new level of competition and transparency in the auctioning of timber across various depots managed by the Forest Department. The process, facilitated by MSTC through the Expression of Interest (EOI), will streamline the auction process, making transactions quicker and more transparent for both the government and bidders. This modernization effort is anticipated to boost the state’s revenue by ensuring efficient management of timber resources.
In Chhattisgarh, auctions for building timber, beams, commercial bamboo, and firewood are conducted across 27 sales depots operated by the Forest Department. Previously, the auction process involved extensive paperwork and record-keeping, which will now be significantly reduced with the implementation of the e-auction system.
Dandakaranya Auditorium Opens at Forest Headquarters
The newly inaugurated ‘Dandakaranya’ auditorium, constructed by the Forest Department for approximately Rs. 2 crore, features seating for 140 people and is equipped with modern amenities including interior decoration, advanced lighting, sound systems, air conditioning, a stage, and an LED screen. The facility will serve as a venue for seminars, workshops, and training programs for field staff and members of Joint Forest Management Committees, providing a much-needed space for the Forest Department’s headquarters-level events.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, MP Brijmohan Agarwal, MLA Guru Khuswant Saheb, MLA Gajendra Yadav, and Jitendra Kumar, Central Director General of Forests and Special Secretary to the Government of India. Senior Forest Department officials, including Principal Forest Conservator and Forest Force Chief V. Srinivas Rao and Chief Forest Conservator Sudhir Kumar Agarwal, were also present.
