THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Auction of timber at four depots under the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Forest Department was suspended after the workers demanded excessive loading charges. The forest department is facing a loss of Rs 24 crore per month.

The incident took place at Achenkovil, Aryankavu, Thenmala and Kulathupuzha depots. Two auctions were held in June but timber traders did not participate. They backed down after hearing the loading charges.

Normally, the wage hike is decided in a discussion led by the labor officer, in which the workers, timber traders and forest department officials participate. This time the workers were unilaterally announcing a wage hike. They are demanding an amount of Rs 40,800 for a load of twelve cubic meters. The Teak auctioned for 5 crores is unable to be transported. The auction of Teak worth Rs 10 crore is stalled as there is no one to bid on it. The Labor Office is not intervening in the matter and the Forest Department officials are helpless.

Teak is the timber that is auctioned mainly. The timber is loaded using a crane brought by workers. Fifty loads of timber per month were auctioned from these depots which has been stopped now. Twelve auctions are to be held in four depots with three auctions each in a depot a month.

Current loading rates in Achenkovil and Aryankavu are Rs 3,050 per cubic metre. It is demanded to increase this to 3,400 rupees. The rate is Rs 1,700 at Veettoor in Perumbavoor. Loading rates in Palakkad Walayar are Rs 2,100 per cubic meter. In other places too there is a slight variation but excessive fares are not charged.

Individuals who go to the depots to buy timber directly for building houses also have to pay exorbitant charges. Even if a very low amount of timber is bought, one has to pay the price of five cubic meters. Rs 15250 is the current lowest rate. Even if it is the quantity is little more than five cubic meters, the fee of ten should be paid.

Current charges
(12 cubic meters per load)

AchanKovil......................37,000
Walayar...................................25000
Perumbavoor.............................20400

Timber Sales Division: Perumbavoor, Kozhikode, Punalur, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam

Sales Depots: 25
Monthly auction revenue: 150 crores
Auction revenue in Thiruvananthapuram division: Rs.24 Crores