Himachal to open 255 timber depots

The state Cabinet presided over by chief minister P K Dhumal has given permission to open 255 timber depots across Himachal Pradesh, including re-opening of 57 imported timber depots shut down four years ago.

While 198 timber depots will be opened on a need basis, 57 imported timber depots will market timber imported from outside the state and the country, a spokesman of the state government said.

With this decision, the state government is also hoping that 301 furniture shops shut down due to lack of raw material in the last few years will re-open. Green felling is banned for decades in the hill state .

The Cabinet also approved enhancement in the loan procurement limit of the state electricity board from Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore and also provide guarantee to procure bonds worth Rs 1,200 crore from banks and financial institutions .

The Cabinet in its meeting, also decided to recommend to the speaker of the state Assembly to convene the winter session from December 19 to 23 in Dharamsala.