Imported wood-based units in Guj exempted from licence

Industrial units using imported wood will no longer require a licence to operate in Gujarat, the state government announced Tuesday.

The move is aimed at promoting the wood-based industry in the BJP-ruled state.

As per a notification issued by the state Forest department on September 5, imported wood-based industrial units have been freed from licence system to promote the industry, an official release has stated.

Saw mills, veneer units, plywood units, MDF units among others using imported wood will only need to register themselves with concerned authorities, which will be a simple process, it said.

The move will benefit plywood pasting units, entire imported wood-based industry, particle board-making units, MFD manufacturing units and units making furniture using imported wood, it said.

The industry which is based on trees grown domestically, cutting of which does not require any permission from the forest department, will also no longer need to obtain a licence, as per the release.

The veneer-based industry will also be freed from a licence, it said.

The new rule will "promote agro-forestry among farmers, the release added.