PDTA affirms support to NTTU

Close on the heel of the Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) representation to the State Governor to constitute a committee to oversee allocation of train wagon for transportation of timber and moulded beats, the Phek District Timber Association (PDTA) has extended full support and cooperation to the demand and urged the authority concerned to fulfill the same at the earliest.
PDTA, in a press statement issued by the association’s president, Sanyi Dukru, has hit out at the manner in which genuine local tree farmers and timber traders were presently deprived of their rights due to alleged “manipulation by some vested interests and selling of wagons by the Forest minister.” 
The association questioned the state government on the reasons why it has not set up the proposed committee, which it said would mitigate the plight of timber traders and farmers.
PDTA lamented that despite numerous appeals and exposure of corrupt practices of some people in authority by NTTU, the general public, Naga political groups and leading NGOs have chosen to remain as silent spectators.
“NTTU had earlier submitted representation even to ACAUT on issue of malpractices in allocation of wagons but so far the grievances of local tree farmers and timber traders have not been addressed,” PDTA said.
When the Forest Department was getting substantial revenue from timber traders and tree farmers, PDTA argued that there was no reason for any authority to take “extra bribe.” It said Naga public as a whole should wake up to fight corrupt practices. “Wagons should be allocated to genuine timber traders and tree farmers. The point is wagons should not be sold”, the association stated.
Further, PDTA appealed to the State Governor to take prompt and necessary action on the memorandum submitted by NTTU for setting up of a committee to oversee allocation of wagons for transportation of timber.
Meanwhile, PDTA also clarified to a statement issued by the Nagaland Tree Farmers’ & Traders’ Forum (NTFTF). “This is for general information of all concerned that members of PDTA, which is affiliated to NTTU, include both timber traders and tree farmers. It may be noted that in the past NTTU and its units have also undertaken tree planting projects for welfare of local tree farmers”, the association added.