Amend Indian Forest Act for free movement of bamboo opposed in Lok Sabha
Raising the objection on behalf of the party in the Lok Sabha, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said, “In the North East and even in Orissa we have paper producing plants. There are certain states which do not have bamboo at all, for that the respective state government needs to give permissions. How can you withdraw the permissions from the states?”
He also added, “Whom are you protecting? You are protecting the interests of the traders where the interests of the state are put into difficulty. That is why we are opposed to the introduction of the bill.”
In response to the concerns raised, Union Minister for Environment and Forest Harsh Vardhan said, “This is one of the major reforms. This is going to help the farmers and everyone in a big way. After China we are the largest producers of Bamboo in the world. There is nothing anti-people in the bill, it is pro-people and pro-farmer.”
