1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

workers and the royalties, which have been doubled places a very heavy burden
on the people. The method of calculating the cft is such that what would earlier
amount to 4 cft now measures 5 cft. Added to this is the increase in the
royalties. Therefore, if the government could make some adjustments it would
address the constraints that the people are facing in house construction and
renovation.
The Thimphu Chimi made submission on the issue of the timber royalties. He
said there is 100% difference between the prices of conifer species and broad-
leaved species. If relevant, the government should make the prices more
uniform. The Rules permit those living within a kilometer of a motor-able road
to buy 2000 cft. of timber from sawmills. However to buy 2000 cft. of timber,
the poor people have to come up with approximately Nu.190,000 let leave alone
the money required for other necessary materials. As all members are aware,
there is no way that such large amounts of money can be mobilized and some
extra consideration and action needs to be taken.
The Agriculture Minister informed the Assembly that the timber marketing and
pricing policy was revised with effect from 1 January 1999 after the Lhengye
Zhungtshog approved it in its 183rd meeting held on 25 August, 1998. The
revision of the above policy was aimed at the following objectives:
1. To make timber available to Bhutanese consumers easily and with
minimum formalities,
2. To ensure fairness, equity and transparency in timber marketing and
pricing,
3. To encourage the establishment of local timber based industries,
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