Assam Government Aims to Boost Forest Department Revenue

Policy Initiatives to Enhance Revenue

Guwahati, Oct 23: The Assam administration is implementing new policies and regulations aimed at increasing the revenue generated by the Forest Department, which has stagnated at approximately Rs 700 crore annually for the past three years.

During the launch of a new online randomised transfer portal for the Forest Department, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the government's commitment to overcoming this revenue stagnation through necessary amendments to existing policies and regulations.

“Despite various development initiatives, the revenue from the Forest Department has not seen growth. We are focused on enhancing revenue through policy changes. Over the last three years, the revenue, which includes forest royalty and other earnings, has remained around Rs 700 crore,” Sarma stated.

He underscored the importance of expanding legal sources for sand and stone to combat illegal quarrying, asserting that the government must establish legitimate channels to satisfy the demand for construction materials.

“By enhancing legal quarrying operations, we can significantly reduce illegal activities. The construction sector's demand for stone and sand necessitates the creation of legal sources to eliminate illegal outlets. This will not only generate revenue for the government but also create job opportunities for many unemployed youths,” he explained.

Sarma acknowledged that the state has struggled to establish sufficient legal sources in recent years, which has contributed to the stagnation in revenue, and emphasized the need for the government to tackle this issue.

“We have not succeeded in creating legal sources in recent years, leading to stagnation. It is crucial that we break this cycle,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief Minister introduced an online randomised transfer system for the Forest Department, which includes 2,137 officials and employees across six different categories, such as deputy rangers, foresters Grade I, forest guards, fixed-pay workers, and game watchers.

This system encompasses personnel from the department's wildlife, territorial, and social forestry divisions. Employees over the age of 58, as well as those with health issues or caring for sick family members, have been excluded from this transfer process.

“Although the department employs around 4,500 individuals, only 2,137 are part of this current initiative, as the remaining staff have not completed the mandatory three-year tenure,” Sarma noted.

He mentioned that this system would allow employees who have been stationed in the same location for extended periods to relocate, ensuring fairness in the transfer process.

“I believe some employees have been in the same position for 10 to 15 years, and this new process will enable them to move to different locations,” he remarked.

Additionally, he stated that the government is prioritizing transparency in recruitment and personnel management, referencing the Swagata Satirtha portal, which has facilitated mutual transfers for thousands of government employees over the past two years.

“With the randomisation of transfers in the Forest Department, there has been no favoritism or discrimination,” Sarma affirmed.

Regarding wildlife conservation, the Chief Minister noted a decrease in rhino killings but emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance against the poaching of other wildlife, particularly in Kaziranga National Park.

He reiterated the importance of continued efforts to eradicate wildlife crime throughout Assam.