SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 30: Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana today informed the Legislative Assembly that timber assistance is being provided to the eligible fire-affected families in Langate while immediate relief has already been extended and ex-gratia assistance under SDRF norms is under process.
Replying to a Calling Attention Notice moved by MLA Langate, Sheikh Khursheed Ahma, Javed Rana said that the Forest Department provides timber assistance to fire victims falling within the A-Zone jurisdiction, subject to completion of codal formalities and availability of fallen/dry standing trees.
Giving the village-wise status, the Minister informed that no application under Kashmir Forest Notice has been received from Tantarygund (A-Zone), Block Haril.
Regarding Lokipora, Superneghama and Gundkuhroo, he said these villages do not fall within the A-Zone concession area and, therefore, are not covered under the Kashmir Notice Rules. However, the J&K Forest Development Corporation has provided timber to one fire-affected person, Mohd Jamal Sheikh of Gundkuhroo, against a sanction of 60 Cft issued vide Sanction No. 58868 dated September 21, 2026. In the case of Neelipora, two applications under Kashmir Notice are presently under process, he added.
The Minister further informed that Jammu and Kashmir Forest Development Corporation (JKFDC) shall extend permissible timber assistance to the eligible fire-affected persons on an urgent and time-bound basis, subject to receipt of requisition and completion of prescribed verification formalities. He also informed that Common Service Timber Depots (CSTDs) have been established at different locations to facilitate receipt and processing of requisitions and each case is verified through field inspection before issuance of timber sanction to the eligible applicant.
The House was also informed that during the current financial year, Langate Forest Division has provided timber assistance to fire victims in the constituency at 10 per cent of the Standard Rate under A-Zone.
On relief measures, the Minister informed that the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, has provided blankets, kitchen sets and tarpaulins to the affected families as immediate relief. Besides, a cash assistance of ₹10,000 per family for fully/severely damaged houses and ₹5,000 per family for partially damaged houses has also been provided from the District Red Cross Fund.
He further stated that ex-gratia relief under SDRF norms for the affected families of the aforementioned villages is under process and shall be sanctioned and disbursed after clearance by the SOP Committee, as per the prescribed procedure.
