The establishment of new sawmills and other wood based industrial (WBI) units in Kerala will have to check for the availability of wood in the state. Government of Kerala with amendment in the existing previous rule in gazette notification dated 12th February, 2021 and read as Regulation of Sawmills and Other Wood-based Industrial Units Rules, 2021 it has been made clear that licence is mandatory for the establishments or operation of sawmills or any other WBI units in the state. Those who have failed to apply for a licence earlier due to inadvertent omission or any other reasonable caused can apply for a license within a period of six months.
Talking about the new norms M M Mujeeb Rahman, President of Sawmill Owners and Plywood Manufacturers Association (SOPMA) said, “A few amendments have been done by the state government also for regulation of sawmills and other WBI units. After the central government guidelines, now the state government also made it clear that licence will be issued only if there is timber availability in the state. The assessment for timer availability from all sources will be done. The government has asked for application. Many new players are willing to set up new units for plywood manufacturing in Kerala.”
According to the gazette notification, any unit which started functioning after 30th October, 2002 shall be treated as fresh application and will be given licence only after assessing the availability of wood from all sources by the State Level Committee. The NOC granted by the Central Empowered Committee or the State Level Committee or the licence granted by the Authorised Officer shall be deemed to be a licence granted till its expiry. They will have to apply for renewal of licence, three months prior to the date of expiry. If the validity is not mentioned they shall have to apply for a new licence within a period of six months.
The units shall be granted licence to function within a radial distance of five kilometers from the boundary of any nearest notified forests. The Sawmills, WBI shall be allowed to continue in the present location only if they satisfy the general and special conditions or renewal of licence. The Authorised Officer may grant licence to a sawmill or WBI unit which is functioning and existing under a licence issued by the Local Self Government Institution or the licence issued by the Department of Factories and Boilers, Government of Kerala or SSI Registration Certificate issued by the Industries Department of the Government subject to the conditions fulfilled specified by them.