Evolution of Coimbatore Timber since 1960

 

THE HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS OF COIMBATIRE SAWMILL AND TIMBER BUSINESS

 

To

The Secretary,

The Coimbatore Timber Merchants &

Saw Mill Owners Association,

C/o.S.R.Timber, Old No.54, New No.21,

Krishna Swamy Road, R.S.Puram Post,

COIMBATORE-641002.

 

         The Author being the leading personality in the elevation of Sawmill and Timber Business in the vicinity of Coimbatore, has made out an effort to list out the events of Timber Merchants Association over a period of time.  The history in brief is:

 

THE FIRST TIMBER ASSOCIATION

 

         In order to bring out the unity among the timber merchants, the first Association is formed in the year 1970 in the name and style of “Coimbatore Timber Association.  Sri Ramachandran, the owner of M/s.Vasantham Timber Depot and Sri Ramalingam Chettiyar were the Secretary and President of the Association respectively.  The Association was situated in Vasantham Timber Depot Mill Road and used to look after the problems of the Timber business only.  I, Yillpilla Suryanarayana was the Treasurer for looking after the responsibilities as Treasurer.  In those days, the people from villages used to come by buses for the purchase of Quality Timber.  Since the Timber business was found to be primary source of this area, the bus stop was named after “Marakadamukku” (timber corner).

 

LABOUR PROBLEMS

 

         The commission agents used to promote the business by attracting the people standing in the bus stand to purchase timber and bring them to Timber Depot to meet the Depot Owners to select the timber.  The Owners used to pay commission to the agents on materializing the business transactions.  Similarly, some persons used to act agents in a group at the Depot premises to upload the timber materials to the vehicles and they do not allow others to  do the same.  Hence, they used to demand more labour charges and the depot owners ought to have paid the amounts whatever they demanded.  There were instances of paying loading charges to these agents-laborers. These agents used to demand mamools from the Lorry Driver for unloading the timber material and they used to create inconveniences to the lorry drivers during the course of such activity.

 

         Due to the problems with the labour, the customers, instead of coming to Coimbatore Timber Market, they used to go to wholesale timber market situated in Pollachi 40 KMs away from Coimbatore resulting in reduction of timber business in Coimbatore.   In these circumstances, the Trade Unions sent notices demanding the increase of labour charges.

 

         There were series of discussions between Timber Association and Trade Unions to sort out the labour problems.  On behalf of Timber Merchants’ Association, Sri Ramachandran, Sri Ramalingam Chettiar and myself had participated in the deliberations with the Trade Unions.  The plea of the Trade Union  was that the business was drastically came down due to the customers diversion to Pollachi, no new customers were coming, and hence demanded to raise the labour charges.  As a reply, Sri Ramachandran and Ramalingam Chettiar used to convince them as to how it is possible to increase the labour charges when the business was come down heavily.

 

         On my part, I expressed my version as follows:  (a) Following the customers from Bus stand to Timber Depot and informing that he brought the customer for the sake demanding commission is nothing but the method of brokerage, (b) Due to this method, the merchant has to add additional amount to the original price. (c) Due this practice, the owner, who runs his business by investing lakhs of rupees, loses faith at the customer, which is resulting in diversion of customer towards Pollachi.   (d) this method is not acceptable since the customers always chose to buy the product at lesser rates, (e) Though the business existed in all places in Coimbatore like Mettupalyam Road, Krishna Swamy Road, etc., this method was existed only in Mill Road, NH Road only.

 

         Accordingly, I told them that we cannot pay Rs.2/- per load and offered to increase the loading price from 40 paise to 60 paise per Sq.unit duly making it clear that we would not object the driver to pay mamool to the agents  for unloading the material without any damage to the lorry and opined that it would be good if is paid the excess amount by the driver on his own willfully without any force.  Accordingly, I appealed to the Trade Unions to think over the proposals made by me stating that the drivers gone to the extent of rejecting the transportation of materials to Coimbatore.  Having been convinced with my proposals, the Trade Union accepted roached to an agreement for the loading charges of Rs.1.50 at the Depots located in Mill Road and N.H Road and Rs.0.60 at the Depots in Mettutpalyam Road and Krishna Swamy Road.

 

         The Trade Unions and the Timber Merchants Association did not talk about the did not talk about agents who did not give any thought or effort to the timber business.  Since then the brokerage system in the timber market has become extinct by itself.   The brokers, who were affected after the discussion, had retorted to take revenge against me (Suryanarayana) saying that they would meet the workers at the Depots in Mill Road, NH Road, Mettutpalyam Road and Krishna Swamy Road and see that they would obstruct the works till they get their labour charges.

 

Expansion of Sawmills ​​

A change took place after we reached this agreement.  Those Sawmill establishments on Krishnaswamy Road  and on Mettupalyam Road have been extended towards Coimbatore North.  Adjacent colonies were formed.  The merchants on the same Mill Road, N.H. Road, were unable to expand there as colonies did not form to the South.  Kerala State is located 20 km south of Coimbatore.  Similarly Tamil Nadu State is located on North upto Ooty.  Due to this geographical condition the sawmill & timber business expanded to the north side. 

 

THE strange system followed in Coimbatore Sawmills

 

The Government of Kerala used to sell the timber through public auction.  Similarly, the Tamil Nadu government also used to sell at auction.  In those days timber was sold by these two states only.

 

 Some people in Coimbatore used to buy bulk trees cut pieces and run timber businesses without their own sawmills with the consent of the sawmill owners duly paying the cutting charges.  This method caused the Sawmill owners to fall into the "coolie" system.  With a slight difference the Sawmill owners also became labourers along with the labourers.  As a result of this change, the timber merchants became the owners of the Sawmills.  Such Sawmill owners who buy timber and go into timber business, those who do business in Sawmill were used to sell  with a discount of Rs 10 or Rs.15.  Sawmill owners can not sell at such reduced rate because of the reason that they have to bear other expenses like maintenance, salaries, etc.  The main purpose of these timber merchants was to keep the Sawmill owners away from becoming timber merchants. 

 

Strikes in Sawmills

Union leaders gave notices to seven Sawmill owners with the demands viz., to give one month leave in a year, to take them to the tour, to give them a glass of milk every evening, to pay twice the rate of coolie , etc.  To respond to this and to form into a force, the seven Sawmill owners came together and formed the “Coimbatore Sawmill Owners' Association”. 

 

On the other hand, the Government of Kerala has issued orders that timber purchased in their state shall be sold using their Sawmills alone on the reason that there was no work for the workers in their State Sawmills.  Hence our Sawmills ​​have become out of work.  So I spoke to them as Secretary that we can not pay the wages at the doubled rates.  But without convincing to my analysis and without observing the practical situation, they gave strike notices.

 

100 DAYS STRIKE

 

​​Due to the strike call given by the Workers Trade Union leaders for seven times, the works were stopped in Sawmills.  The workers sitting in front of the Sawmill gates used to give slogans demanding to accept their demands duly calling them for talks.  As I was Secretary of the Association, they gave “SURYANARAYANA DOWN DOWN” slogans at my residence.  On one day they gheraoed me at Sankar Vijay Sawmill by sitting around me on road.  They even deflated air to my cycle.  Even then I was brave enough without showing any fear.  By then, their leader came to the place of gherao and questioned as to why they were gheraoing me and asked to go away from that place.  I know it is illegal to detain a person, our guys would come know that I was gheraoed, they would report the same to the police and the Police would come and release me. I have an idea that how can I go when there is not even air in my bicycle to go!  Meanwhile the police van came as I was guessing and the workers fled away from there.  Then their leader informed the police that they did it due to lack of knowledge and he warned them and requested to excuse them. 

          

 

          The entry of anarchist forces

 

It had been 60 days since the strike call given by the Union.  We called the trade union leaders for talks.  The leader came with four workers.  We sat down with seven Sawmill owners.  Negotiations with the leader ended in two minutes. 

 

I talked to the trade union leader outside and questioned him as to how he finished talks in two minutes and how he is justified in leading the 60 people in seven Sawmills? Since there would be 250 family members behind them and then only he had to come for deliberations.  The he retorted saying that only because of me it took so much time and otherwise, he would have easily surrendered the our Association.  Saying so, he challenged that he would know soon who will win whether he or me.

 

  About 80 days later a man approached our President and informed that,  If agreed, he will put one taxi near each of the seven Sawmills, six or seven of his men in the taxi and asked to start doing things.  He said we will take care of whoever gets in the way.  The President informed that he will not give word without informing the Secretary and then telephoned to me. 

 

I clarified the President that obstruction of workers will lead to clashes and such  Conflicts are illegal.  In that case, even if one or two persons received injuries, it would also lead to criminal cases.  I told the President that we should not resort to such illegal acts against to Law. 

 

Suggestions for a solution

 

90 days had passed since the strike began. One day the trade union MP "Ramani " called for a public meeting near the Chintamani supermarket and explained them that  after the workers leave the Depot, the we would attend office one hour earlier to workers, arrange the works for the day, even after leaving the work place in the evening , we spend two hours more and do the calculations,  we stay there for three more hours at work and therefore, it means that the owners are not capitalists since we look after office works, field works relating to workers and division of work among the workers. 

 

Observing us as not Capitalists, M.P.Ramni garu had suggested us to sort out the issue by mutual understanding. He said that the 100-day strike had become a public issue, which led to a public meeting.  He also sent intimation to the police department, trade unions and Sawmills ​​'Owners' Association. Accordingly, the issues were negotiated and resolved by both parties.  This was all happened in the year 1978.  It was a great thing that both sides did not go down the path of anarchy with hatred. 

 

ADAPTING NEW SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGY IN SAW MILL WORKS

 

The demand for timber has increased as urban development in India is accelerating.  The government has hired private individuals as Coup Contractors to meet this need.  Hence, the need of timber for urban development was being met.  The Missionaries came forward to catch the speed with the help of Technology Development.  It takes only three, four minutes to cut the timber into two pieces using a machine, whereas the workers need three hours to do the same a saw. This reduced the workload for the workers. 

 

Also the machinery came to polish the saw and the same sharpens, bends teeth due this, it allows the blade to cut perfectly and fast.  Thus, it has gone without the need for a specialized worker.

 

New idea OF Sawmill owners FOR EMERGING INTO TIMBER BUSINESS

 

The Sawmill owners got an idea of doing ​​timber business themselves.  Accordingly, we bought teak sticks for Sri Venkateswara Timber Depot in the auction conducted by Government of Karnataka in Mandla.  I used to go to Hubli for loading of Teak sticks in the lorry and used to sit in "Patel Timber" opposite the bus stand when I found time.  One day I asked the owner whether all the timber in the depot belongs to them.  He questioned me “Who else?”, commented looking at my face and replied that everything is belong to them only.  Then I asked whether the place was their own and he replied that they were on rent.  He said he was well enough to purchase these ten cents for ten lakhs in an hour if the owner put it for sale.  I wondered at his statement. 

 

I recollected the timber business system prevailed in Balarja, Nagpur, Karnataka where I visited previously.  Then I got an idea of ​​"Mana Sawmills ​​Mana Timber" (Our Sawmill – Our timber), which is existing all over India since the existing system of “Timber business and Sawmill” was prevailed only in Coimbatore.

 

INTRODUCTION OF “OUR TIMBER – OUR SAWMILL” IN PLACE OF OLD SYSTEM

 

 I came back to Coimbatore.  I swung into action to convert our timber business and Sawmill Business into ​​a single business.  I explained the same to my friends Sivanandam and Raman of our Sawmill.

 

I thought that it would be profitable to gain 10 to 15 percent income if we use the labour to cut the timber in “Our Timber – Our Sawmill” concept.   The Income Tax Department Officials did not accept the outcome of 65% business that I had shown to them and opined that it would be more.  So wrote a letter to the Forest Department in Balarsha and brought the book wherein the timber business statistics are available and according to which, 62 percent comes from timber business.  It was shown to the Income Tax officials.  It was fact that 75 to 80 percent comes from Timber business, if we process it in our sawmills.  Profits increase if the yields are increased.  There would be no stress on the workers since the business is our own.  The second is our business so there will be no work pressure for the workers and workers also cooperate us in the business growth.  I advised my friends Sivanandam and Raman to establish their own Sawmills and  accordingly they both established their own sawmills.

 

 

PROVOCATION OF OUTSIDERS TO FORCE THE WORKERS TO GO ON STRIKE

         After some time, the Sawmill owners came up with the idea of ​​doing business in this manner.  The Saraswati Sawmills ​​and the Shankara Vijaya Sawmills ​​set out to implement it.  But the merchants in those Sawmills ​​did not agree with the above policy.  So they provoked the workers and made them to go on strike.  These traders formed an association called the "Small Timber Merchants' Association" which gave money to the workers and encouraged them to go on strike. They have also encouraged our workers to resort to illegal acts to steal the timber pieces and sell it out. We know that the tiny merchants are behind the workers in the name of strike with an intention to dominate our Association.  Hence, we sent a person for mediatory Panchayat with the workers and asked him to tell them that we are agreeing the demands of our workers.  He held discussions with the workers and came back with a statement that the strike is not being carried by the workers and made it clear that the same is being organised by others behind the curtains.

 

It was 50 days after the shut down of these two Sawmills.  On one day, when myself was going in Arunachalam Road for opening of Plywood Shop located in between Saraswathi Sawmill and Sankara Vijay Sawmill, the owner of Hemalatha Timber Depot Mr.Velayudham along with 10 to 15 persons had stopped me and uttered me that why I was protecting the North Indian Gujarathis when they were trying to bend them in their way and attacked me. I fell down due to their attack beating me severely and the helmet and scooter fell down on the other side. Then they fled away thinking that I died of their attack.  It is pertinent that the persons came with Velayudham were not sawmill workers.  Then I got up, took my scooter, went to Police station by my scooter and gave police complaint.

 

         Since the incident took place nearer to my house, I was told that my wife came to the place of incident.  The owners of Sankar Vijay Sawmill came to Police Station and took me to hospital and given treatment to my injuries.

 

         I felt it new about the word used by Velayudham.  That was converted as the battle between North India and South India and in support of it the Mill Road Timber Association was silent about these developments. Similarly, the Sawmill Association was also kept silent.  This development forced Saraswathi Sawmill and Sankar Vijay Sawmill owners to go to Mr.Chaganlal Patel, the owner of Krishna Sawmill.  The said Chaganlal Patel took the issue to the Trade Union Leaders affiliated to Ruling Party.  With this, the politics into this issue.  Hence, I stepped back.

 

MATTER GONE TO THE LEVEL OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

 

         Though it appears to be workers strike, but it went upto the level of Central Government by different ways.  Rajeev Gandhi was Prime Minister in those days.  Similarly, the information reached to Sri Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamilnadu. With this, the action of the Coimbatore Police was warranted.

 

SETTLEMENT BY POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

         The Two Town Police, R.S.Puram sent notices to both the parties.  They have also sent the message to me.  The trade union leaders, advocate and myself went to Police Station.  Then the ASP Rajandra has asked me what was the problem existed with me.  I gave him the threatening letters received by me and he read out all the letters.  I told him that due to those threatening letters, my wife was afraid of going to market and we were afraid of sending our daughter to Avinash Home Science College.

 

         He said, “See Mr.Suryanarayana, do you think that we would keep quite by seeing these unsocial activity” and assured that “you don’t worry, we are here”.  I informed that I am happy and expressed thanks.  I did not go away thinking that the problem was cleared. The ASP also did not say anything.  The small merchants discussed the issue before the Advocate.   They pleaded that they were doing business for the last 10 to 15 years, their livelihood depended on the same, where do we go if they were forced to go away leaving their customers who come from different places with the faith of their business.  They told that the Sawmill owners may increase the cutting labour charges per CFT and they were ready to pay.

 

         The Advocate discussed the issue on behalf of the owners of Saraswathi Sawmill and Sankara Vijay Sawmill.  He explained that, these small merchants made out the workers not heeding to the instructions of Sawmill owners, that the workers take money from the said small merchants and take their material for cutting machine instead of the teak wood given by us from the order we received from the customers, in this way, the workers were made to resort in corruption practices; for this reason, we could not supply the timber to the customers on time, the Advocate explained.

 

         When I asked the Advocate, can I talk to the A.S.P, he asked me to talk to him.  I explained the entire scenario to the ASP as follows:

        

         The Sawmills are established duly securing half acre land on rent and erected Shed with required machinery duly obtaining HP Electricity connection. With our expertise, we are shaping & bending blades duly changing gauges according to sizes while cutting the wood.

 

         It is true that we accepted the proposal of these small vendors who came to us and requested to allow them to do their business by bringing one or two loads of wood.

 

         It has become practice for these vendors to bring low quality of wood and sell them to the customers when asked for the quality wood displayed/available in our Sawmill.  When the customers question these small merchants why the shown material in the Sawmill is not supplied to them, this would lead to arguments and complaints against them within our own premises.  At times, the customers question our Sawmill owners saying that “we came here believing you people, but why these people (small merchants) come in between”.  These scenes make us cheaters often in the minds of customers for mischievous acts of the small vendors.

 

         When the customers came to our Sawmill, these merchants pose themselves as Sawmill owners, by sitting in the chairs, counting cash, calculating the accounts.  This would create confusion and hallucination to the customers who approach the Sawmills.

 

         The Establishment Names, Sheds, Power connections, Offices, etc. are ours besides owning the expertise for cutting of desired sizes of timber.  Surprisingly these people are obstructing us to do our business in our Sawmills, very often asking us as to what quantum of coolies we want to increase and that would be paid to us.  In this process, they are creating many hurdles by all means and they are not inclined leave our premises.

 

         Finally, I requested the ASP to do justice to enable us to carry our business in the form of “Our sawmill – Our business” in transparent and respectable manner with the public in Coimbatore.

 

         After listening to all my above views, Mr.Rajendra, ASP taken up the issue with those agitators and given an example that, “we are running the II Town Police station with 30 personnel, if some others come and ask us to allow them to run the police station in their way, shall it be allowed?”.  He questioned as to why the Owners of Sawmill shall give the premises of Sawmill to these merchants’ business.  He asked them how it would be justified and clarified that it would become encroachment and violative of Rule of Law.  Finally, he directed them to vacate and leave the Sawmill premises immediately.

 

         Then, the small merchants asked the ASP to request us to give one month time to vacate our premises, for which we have accepted.  Because of this 63 days struggle, 15 to 20 Sawmills were established in Kannappa City.   As a result, there was a turning point in Coimbatore Timber business under the banner “Our Sawmill – Our Timber Depot”.  This was all happened in the year 1980.

 

         My role in the change of “Sawmill & Timber” business has been a prime factor in the history Coimbatore Timber Association.

 

FORMATION OF NEW TIMBER ASSOCIATION

 

         The nature of Sawmill is changed from “collecting labour charges for cutting of timber” to “Part of Timber business”.  We could solve the labour problem after carrying out long battles.  We fought with the anarchy of small merchants who were not having even TNGST.  All these developments took place on the lone aspect of “Sawmill”.  Now, the timber business is going on smoothly.  The Timber Association in Mill Road has become inactive.  Since the Sawmills have become part of Timber Business, the role of Sawmill owners’ Association has come to end.

 

         After a period of time, we have some problem with the Government in Timber business as was the same problem in all types of business in the State. Hence, an idea of forming Association to explain the problems in Timber business before the Government.  So, all the timber merchants in Coimbatore have assembled in Bhagavan Sawmill.  I was one among them.

 

         We came to a decision to form an Association with a new name.  So, I gave my opinion that, earlier there were Sawmill Association and Timber Association and there no such associations in existence and therefore, suggested that we can form an Association with the name “Coimbatore Timber Merchants’ Association”.  After several discussions, all have confirmed the same name.  Accordingly, we formed an Association with that name in the year 1995. That is…

“THE COIMBATORE TIMBER AND SAWMILL OWNERS ASSOCIATION”

 

The experience out of all these struggles and battles we gone through, have motivated us to choose this name.

My Part in the Progress of The Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association

 

The Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association was formed in full form.

 

Sri Bhimbau of Krishna Sawmill Owner was elected as President of "The Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association".  They elected me as the Secretary. But I didn't agree.

 

I told them, that I served as Treasurer in the first Timber Association, I

shouldered the responsibilities as Secretary in Sawmill Owners Association; So, I will not take any position for the present and advised to take someone new in my place. I assured them that I will fully cooperate with the office bearers of our association.

 

Therefore, Sri Nedum Jalaranadh, owner of M/s. Ajanta Timber was chosen as the Secretary and Sri Jayantibai, owner of M/s. Bhagwan Sawmill was elected as treasurer.

 

Our association has become a member of Tamil Nadu Timber Federation.

 

Our Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association has become a member of "Tamil Nadu Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Federation". Federation Committee meetings are held once for every two months. Our association chosen me to attend the meetings. This happened in the year 1996 or 1997. Federation meetings held only on Sundays. I used to travel by train on Saturday night to reach Chennai on next day morning. I used to finish my work at the station without taking room in lodge. I used to reach the federation office exactly at 10 o'clock. After attending the meeting, I used to take the train to Coimbatore on the same day night. The reason for this is to avoid burden of expenses to our association.

 

 Sri V.V. Rao, the Treasurer of the Federation is known to me well. Balaji Timber Depot owner Kondapalli Kantha Rao is my friend. Hence, I felt Federation is not new to me. Timber Federation always focused on Sales Tax and Forest issues. Since Federation is in the State Capital City, they used to meet the Ministers whenever necessary and report Timber problems to the government. I used to participate in these discussions on behalf of our Association.

 

Invitation to join Chamber of Commerce & Industries Coimbatore as a Member

 

 A decision was taken in our Association General Body Meeting to felicitate Sri Ramachandran Garu who discharged responsibilities as the first Secretary of our Timber Association. The four of us went to "Ondipudur" and invited him. He accepted the invitation and promised to attend the general body meeting. In the meeting, Sri Ramachandran gave an honorary speech. He expressed that as could be seen the huge attendance to the general body meeting, a large number of timber traders are included as Members in the city. My son informed that in our Vasantham Timber Mart was enrolled as a member. At that time, I was the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Coimbatore.  Sri Ramachandran suggested me to join as Member in the Timber Association Chamber of Commerce. He promised that he would see that our Association is nominated as E.C Member of the Chamber of Commerce.  The E.C meeting is used to conduct once in a month. He suggested the meeting to nominate me to attend the E.C meetings. He concluded his speech with “Greetings to all” and expressing happiness stating that though they started the first Timber Association in Coimbatore, a new Association is established by us and going ahead in a big way. This was happened in the year 1999-2000.

 

 

Chamber of Commerce Coimbatore has taken our association as an executive member

 

 I worked as an EC Member for six years at the Chamber of Commerce.  During this period our association has made some suggestions for the development of Coimbatore.

 

Passengers alighting at Gandhipuram bus stand and passengers going to board the buses were struggling to cross the road. As a solution to this, we have suggested the Chamber to request the Coimbatore Corporation to build a foot-over bridge on the road. Later a footpath bridge was constructed there accordingly.

 

Similarly, the garbage was being dumped in the vacant place situated opposite to Ambika Timber in Satyamangalam Road. I have discussed about this on behalf of our Association and represented to the Commissioner of Coimbatore Municipal Corporation.  Consequently, the Corporation has stopped the garbage dumping and removed all the dumped garbage in order to providing the same to parking of Private Buses.

 

The Municipal Corporation has its premises opposite the Fertilizer Company on Mettupalayam Road. The place is more than 30 acres. Garbage is being dumped by the municipal corporation in more than half of its place. Some space is kept for a burial ground. I have discussed about this matter in the Chamber of Commerce on behalf of our Association.

 

There is a stream adjacent to this place. Rainwater flows into that stream during the rainy season. Water from Kanvai hills flows into this stream. This flow merges into stream at "Nuyyalaru". This Nuyyalur stream comes from the Western Ghats and flows into Bhavani River and from there the water reaches Cauvery river. Then it joins the Bay of Bengal, which is considered to be a holy place. Therefore, a burial ground was provided there. Therefore, I informed in the Chamber of Commerce EC that if the garbage is removed and electrical cremation is established, the rest of the place can be converted into a garden for the convenience of the people. The Chamber of Commerce brought this matter into the notice of the Municipal Corporation.

 

There was huge traffic due to the passage of Karamadai buses, Mettupalayam Buses, Coonoor Buses, Ooty Buses besides cars, two wheelers, lorries, etc., from Saibaba Colony towards Mettupalayam.  There was a road from Mettupalayam to Kannappa Nagar.  A lot of accidents were being occurred at this junction. I brought this matter to the attention of the Chamber of Commerce through our Association.

 

Thereafter, the road was widened on all four sides of the junction, flood lights were installed, traffic constables were appointed to control the traffic. Besides this, I used to participate in the discussions on behalf of our Association. All these deliberations were published in its bulletin every month by the Chamber of Commerce. This was a small service we have done to the people of Coimbatore who gave us the opportunity to do timber business.

 

We explained to the rulers about the Coimbatore timber business

 

The Coimbatore Timber Merchants and Sawmill Owners Association was established in full shape. We elected Sri Bhimji Bhai as President, Sri Nedumbulan Nath as Secretary and Sri Jayanthi Bai as Treasurer. In order to face the pressures from the State Government on our business, we formed the Association.

 

As the timber needed for our timber business is not available in Tamil Nadu, we used to bring it from the States of Kerala, Maharashtra and Andaman Islands and sell it in Coimbatore. Those who want more timber used to go to nearby Kerala and bring it to Coimbatore. Therefore, we persuaded and subsided the Authorities by explaining that our business is small and retail business.

 

 The First general body meeting was conducted in "Bharti Raja Complex", which belongs to Sri Ramalingam, the owner of Marudam Timber.  The address of Coimbatore Timber Association was changed to S.R.Timber's address in that meeting.  At this stage, we found the necessity of one building for the Association and a manager to look after the same besides owning a telephone connection.  Some of the members have suggested that the services of an Office Boy are required for collection of subscriptions and delivery of letters.  The President of the Association Sri Bhimji has readily agreed, and the Secretary also supported the said proposal.  But the Treasurer Sri Jayanthi Bhai had remained silent.

 

Then I explained that, We have just started our association; It is not funded yet; If we take into consideration the opinions of members, it is not possible; my office is in the extent of 6 × 8 feet provided with a chair for me, table with two chairs for parties, an almirah for my books and a telephone besides place for accommodating another almirah.  I volunteered that I would establish the Coimbatore Timber and Sawmill Owners Association office in the office of S.R.Timber Depot, if the members accept the proposal.   Sri Jayantibhai readily accepted for this proposal followed by the President, Secretary and Members.  Sri Jayanthibhai came forward to send the four feet Iron Almirah which he owned. All had felt that it would be accessible to everyone because of establishing it in the Timber Depot of Sri Suryanarayana.

 

 

I have taken over charge of the accounting of Timber Association on my own

 

The Association appointed Mr. Shekhar to collect subscriptions and distribute the letters of Timber Association to the members.  He is good natured boy.  Since the members of the Association were all over the city, Shekhar used to go on his bicycle and meet them.

 

 I used to maintain the accounts for the subscriptions received and expenses met by the members of the Timber Association. I used to take the approval of Auditor for the account balance sheet prepared by me and then only the certified accounts and balance sheet is provided to the members in the meetings.  The Treasurer Sri Jayanti Bhai used to come to me from time to time and take care in the preparation of the accounts. Hence, he would be able to clarify the doubts of the members in the General Body Meetings.

 

Restraining of the Central Government's entry into the business of Timber Business in the name of dust

 

Notice received from Central Excise Office. The committee discussed this. They are asking about the environmental issue and the second one is about teak wood husk. The Committee opined to contact a lawyer for an advise. I explained them that I will go and explain this subject to the officer and asked Sri Mohan to accompany me and if our brief is not satisfied by the Officer, I suggested that we could think of engaging lawyer after receipt of another notice. The committee accepted the proposal. 

 

Hence, I and Mohan went to the central office and met the section from which the notice is sent. I explained to the officer, that while setting up of a saw mill, we provide trenches six feet deep for horizontal missionary and vertical missionary, when the timber is subjected to cut into pieces, the husk that comes out will directly poured into trenches and it does not come out, does not cause pollution, does not mix in the water,. the shed we put up does not allow our husks to be exposed to the wind, and therefore, the environment will not suffer, because when the sticks are being cut, the husk coming from the teak stick falls into the preceding husk. We also informed that a man cannot stand holding a sack while cutting a teak stick, because of the fact that the machine runs at a speed of 1440 rpm.  Finally, we requested the Officer to take the above facts into consideration and requested to ensure that our business is not disturbed. After that no notice came from Central Excise.

 

Increase in the bank balance of Association

 

There is no considerable bank balance is left in the Account of Timber Association. The subscriptions paid by the members are sufficient only to meet the monthly salary being paid to Sri Sekhar and the expenses of the General Body Meetings but no debt is outstanding.  So I suggested the members in a general body meeting that we stop engaging the services of Sekhar and instead, we use courier to send letters and to use phone to remind members about the general body meetings by paying the charges for that phone so that the salary and bonus of Sekhar can be best utilised for increasing the bank balance. The Members informed that they have no objection if I take responsibility.

 

Sri Jayanti Bhai, Treasurer asked all the members, hereafter, to pay the annual subscription while attending the general body meeting. This was approved by the members. Due to the implementation of this idea, the association's bank balance has increased.

 

Efforts to acquired immovable property for the Association not materialized

 

 As the fund was accumulating for the Association, we got the idea of ​​buying Immovable Property for our Association. Initially, Sri Jayanthi Bhai has identified one shop in Business Completed on DB Road. Later we saw a room besides lift of an Apartment near RS Puram Boys High School. An old house has come up for sale in Kamarajupuram, which is opposite to our Depot. Sri Vasantbhai, the owner of Ambika Timber has informed that he got a plot of 11 cents and he is willing to give the same for our Association at the same cost of he purchased. Madan also came with a proposal that he would sell his plot in Kannappanagar. The owner of Venkateswara Timber got a room next to the lift in Devi's apartment. But nothing materialized.

 

Sri Ansaraj Patel was elected as the new president

 

While these efforts were going on, the Association elections were scheduled. Sri Bhimji expressed that he would continue to be President even for the fourth time. While discussions were going on about Sri Bhim Bhai's demand, Ambika Tember owner Sri Vasanthbhai and some other owners brought Sri Ansaraj Patel. We will retain Ansaraj patel for the post of President. Sri Bhimji informed that he does not want to contest if the competition is inevitable and volunteered to quit. Sri Ansaraj Patel was elected as the President. Sri Vasanth Bhai said that Ansaraj Patel will extent full support for the advancement of the Association.

 

About the greatness of Coimbatore

 

Timber Federation General Body Meetings used to conduct in various towns of Tamil Nadu viz., Chennai, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Theni, Thanjavur, Nagar Koyil, Mettupalayam, Pollachi etc. Sri Ansaraj Patel and Sri Thangavelu used to come with me to these meetings.

 

We have decided to hold a meeting of the Coimbatore Timber Association Federation in one year and invited the Timber Federation for the meeting. Timber Merchants from Tamil Nadu come to the Federation meeting, and it was our responsibility to tell them about our Coimbatore. So the Association leaders tasked me to write about Coimbatore. I used to attend meetings convened by Tamil Pandits on two Sundays in every month. I also used to attend Chamber meetings. This was the way I learnt issues related to business through exchange of views with the merchants who come for meetings. Thus, I could able to write about the greatness of Coimbatore.

 

Thangavelu translated what I wrote in Telugu into Tamil.  After reading it, Marudam Timber Owner Sri Ramalingam said, "How did you write things, which are not known to us being Sons of Soil".  We distributed these pamphlets to the Association members as well as the people came from other cities to attend the Timber Federation meeting. When Ambika Timber Owner Vasanth bhai read it meaningfully in the meeting, all the people in the meeting expressed their appreciation with applause.  I felt satisfied that I, being a person came to Coimbatore for livelihood, could repay my gratefulness in return to the Coimbatore by way of writing the “Greatness of Coimbatore”.

 

Release order used to be issued by the Court

 

 When the Malaysian timber logs purchased by Maruti Timber Depot were being downloaded at Gayatri Sawmill, the Sales Tax Department officials came and verified the bills and directed them to stop the downloading of stock. One of the three loads had already been unloaded from the lorry by then.

 

Sri Vithalbai came to spot and asked the Officials why they objected downloading the stocks when there are records viz., Bills, Sales Tax Forms, etc.  The Sales Tax Officials informed that the address of Maruti Timber is RS Puram area but the stock is unloading at Fertilizer Company and there is no bill of purchase of loads from Gayatri Sawmill. Hence, they have taken away the two lorries of stock to sales tax office and that day being Sunday, the stocks were got downloaded by the Sales Tax Officials and sent back the empty lorry.

 

When we contacted our Association's auditor and a well-known lawyer, they asked us to approach to the High Court. He gave the address of Lawyer Srinivasan in Chennai. With the permission of the Association, Sri Vittal bhai took Chaganalbhai, Gangaram bhai and myself to Chennai. All four of us met Advocate Srinivasan. Chaganlal and Gangaram explained the happenings to the lawyer and requested him to get the stay order. The lawyer thought for a while and said that the court will not grant a stay order.

 

Then I told the Lawyer that we need not have a stay order but asked him to take release order from the Court, for which the lawyer said that we can get a relief immediately if we try for the release order with the condition of depositing a sum as ordered by the Court if we agree to do so. Vithalbai agreed and told that he will pay the deposit. Then he asked us to come on the next day morning to prepare the Plaint. Gangaram and Chaganbhai left for Coimbatore and myself stayed back at Chennai along with Vithalbhai.

 

Release order from court

 

On the next day when we met the Advocate, he asked us to tell the ground points to get release order since he does not know anything about timber business. I told the following points.

 

1.   We used to purchase the timber on wholesale basis from the sellers as per the sizes required by the parties duly paying advance amounts from the advances paid by the parties. Now those who have ordered the required sizes have stopped their house works. Hence, they are pressurising us to supply timber as per the sizes ordered. Due to non payment of balance amounts, the sellers stopped supply of timber and they are also pressurising to pay the balance since the timber is given to us out of trust.

2.   Since the sticks were exposed to sun, they would get dry in the sun and break if they get wet in the rain. Hence they would become useless  and turn as a national waste.

3.   As the wood produce is less in the country, the Government gave permission to import timber from abroad.  Hence, we purchased the wood from Malaysia and unless all the papers are perfect, the wood would not be downloaded from abroad.

4.   Ours is a small timber depot, we do not have the financial status to take a large place and to hire missionaries to do business. So we place the downloaded stock in other’s Saw Mills and cut into small pieces as per sizes required for running our business and family livelihood.

5.   Such depots are more in Coimbatore and in the same manner we live. We pleaded as to how can we survive if we are troubled now.

6.   We are paying the taxes due to the department within the stipulated time frame.

7.   Therefore we request you to issue a release order for our stocks.

 

On my above points, the lawyer said that we will definitely get the release order. Accordingly, the lawyer brought the release order from the court within a month. The advocate’s fees was paid by Sri Vithalbahi.

 

The court issued order declaring that timber traders who do not have a saw mill can do the business in the premises of those who have saw mills. Though it was effort and fee payment made by Vithalbhai, this order has become useful for all of Tamil Nadu.

 

Value Added Tax is detrimental to traders and consumers

 

Our association received an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce. As per the invitation, the State Government has invited us for a meeting in Madurai to explain the Value Added Tax (VAT) before the Central Government introducing new tax to traders in India.

 

Our Association asked me to go to Madurai to attend the meeting, which was arranged in a big hotel. A black board has been arranged on the back side wall of the stage and Central Government Officers have initially explained in English. The hall was full with the large attendance of traders from Tamil Nadu and hence the Tamil Nadu officer explained in Tamil.

 

When an item comes out of production, let’s take its cost as Rs.100/-. If 10 percent tax is added to it, its value comes to Rs.110/-. If Rs.20/- towards loading, unloading, labour charges, shop maintenances, owner's profit are added to this,  the total cost raises upto Rs. 130/-.  Since the tax already paid on the cost of Rs.100/-, then it would be enough to pay Rs.30/- as tax and profit and no need to pay again any amount thereon if the material is taken at this stage.  Otherwise, if the material changed hands, then again the customer need to pay additional amount of Rs.30/- towards tax & profit and will further increase to Rs.160/-. That means the price of the material increases to more than half of its original cost. This system is good for the traders since it fetches profit from the customers.  The traders opined and accepted that this policy is good.

 

I was speaking on behalf of Coimbatore Timber Association. “We heard the explanations of Central Government and State Government officials; the customer has shed Rs.160/- for the material which produced for Rs.100/-; then the customer will reduce his quantum of purchase from 10 to 7 or 8 items to reduce his burden of paying 10 items cost; this will result in reducing the business of timber in the market; so, the customer’s purchasing capacity will be reduced and the central government tax will be higher.

 

After my speech, some people spoke on behalf of their association. They said that the Sales Tax is under the purview of the State Govt and whereas the VAT is levied by the Central Government; and some of them said that this change is not necessary since it is useful only to the people who import the timber from abroad similarly to the wholesale business but it is not suitable for retail business. They opined that if we observe the VAT system, it is necessary to engage a special accountant for maintenance of accounts.

 

There were people those who spoke in favor of VAT and those who spoke against it in this meeting organized by the government to get the opinion of traders.  But the meeting was conducted in a fair and free manner. "Kikani High School" Mathematics Master Mr.Krishnan attended the meeting on behalf of Textile Association. Four days later, the government announced that VAT would no longer be implemented.

 

PROPOSAL OF MR. THANGAVEL FOR THE POST OF SECRETARY

 

The General body meeting of Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Saw Mill Owners Association is going to be held at Hotel Annapurna. For attending the said meeting, I brought Thangavelu. Our Timber Depot is near the Hotel Annapurna.  So both of us were going by walk. I asked him whether he is willing to act as Secretary for the Association in place of Mr.Nedunjalarnath since the elections will be conducted in the general body meeting.  He accepted the proposal but expressed that he was working as Depot Manager in M/s.Sri Venkateswara Timber Depot but he does not have any business and questioned as to how he would be elected as Secretary.  I suggested that whether it would be feasible if the Owner of M/s. Sri Venkateswara Timber Depot is made Secretary and nominate Thangavelu as his Representative.  He said that they would not give such nomination letter.

Elections held after conclusion of meeting and except Secretary, all the posts are unanimously  elected.  The organiser asked me who will be proposed for Secretary Post.  I stood up and proposed the name of Thangavelu.  No one in the meeting opposed and none other was proposed for the said post as an opposite candidate to Mr.Thangavelu.

 

Thangavelu was elected as the Secretary

 

Our Association office was located in our Depot. The Venkateswara Tember Depot is very next to us. I explained that if the Secretary office is close to the place of work, the works will be attended to quickly without any slackness, exchange of views and hence Thangavelu will be more suitable having proficient in writing Tamil language.  With the approval of the members, Thangavelu was elected as the Secretary of our association.

 

NOTHING CAN BE DONE BY ANY DEPARTMENT IF THE BUSINESS IS RUN AS PER RULES

 

A member of Timber near Gandhipuram bus stand made a phone call and informed that the Traffic Constable came and took away the lorry driver's license and the bills. I telephoned to Nedunjalarnath, Secretary and informed the same. He replied that is on job cutting sizes of timber for the order and requested me to go and talk to the Police. When I went to the police station along with another Member, the Sub Inspector has offered me Chair politely. I explained him, “Sir, the downloaded timber sizes were kept inside the depot, we download the material immediately on arrival of lorry without disturbing the traffic; the material was downloaded at 12 Noon and sent back the lorry before 2 PM, which are not peak hours and hence no interruption for any traffic and therefore, we request you to please give back the Timber Bills and Driver’s License”.  He replied that he would hand over them to the Depot owner.  I accepted the same and the Member brought papers form the S.I of Police.

 

Protecting our member from "ATRoCITY " case

 

One morning while I was going to our depot, a new member came from Pothanur since the address of Timber Association is located in our depot address. I offered him seat and asked the purpose of his visit.  He replied that the D.S.P asked him to come at 10 o'clock and requested me come with him. I asked the reason for such call and he replied that does not know the reason. I contacted Secretary Thangavelu. He informed that he would hand over the work to the workers and come to us. Then, we three went to Potanur police station. The D.S.P hasn't come yet. So, we sat outside and I again asked him as why we were summoned?   He said that, “Sir, the men working in my mill belong to S.C Community, they come to me and demanded that I should give them work, I told that there is no work for the present, hence, he filed an atrocity case against me, that is the reason I brought you to the DSP”, he told.

 

I told him that I will guess the questions those are going to be asked by the DSP. If the questions are the same as I said, I asked him to answer accordingly and if the questions are different, I and Thangavelu would interfere, I told. The D.S.P. has come. Two ruling party leaders also came on behalf of the workers. Then the D.S.P asked the workers and the sawmill owner to wait and offered us the seats to sit. As the workers came drunk, they were asked to stand a little far away.

 

The DSP started questioning him,  “Why did you scolded them in the name of caste?, he replied, I have not scolded them.  Then Why did they give the complaint like that?  He replied… “I have established Sawmill just two months back, there is no business, no work. This is what I told them sir, but they gave complaint like this”.

 

Then the DSP questioned..  “If the business and work improves, will you give them work?”  He replied… “I will give them work sir because I need workers and it would be better to employ those who are known to us.  The DSP asked, "Will you write down what you said?”  He replied… “I will write and give it to you sir."    Accordingly, on being asked by the DSP, Mr.Thangavelu given it.  On receipt of signed letter, the DSP told us that if the atrocity case registered against the boy, who is young aged and unmarried, he will not get bail, and it is not known as to when will the case end and that is why the case should not be raised for the sake of Law. Then the said leaders left the station and we also returned back. Thus, we saved our member from such a tough case.

 

ENROLLMENT OF ASSOCIATION MEMBERS UNDER SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES

 

As there are so many benefits and concessions to the members from the Government if they have the Certificates as Small Scale Industries,  the Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association has decided to take certificates for all the members under small industries. The Committee members went to S.S.I Office located near "Manikoondu". All the Committee Members went to the office. Since we are many, we discussed to talk to the Secretary only, so that he would respond to us for whatever we discuss with him. Chairs were arranged for all of us in the office. The Secretary Thangavelu spoke to him.

 

The Secretary explained that “we have about 80 members all over the city doing timber business and we are supplying wood to the people of Coimbatore in order to develop Coimbatore, we will be able to supply material at lesser rates if we are provided with facilities under Small Scale Industry Certificates” . Accordingly, the Secretary informed the officials that our association members have come to ask for the issue of certificates.

 

The officer questioned us… how do we consider your cases as Small Scale Industry since you have established big sawmills in a vast place duly installing machinery, HP Electricity connection, big side timber, etc.  Thangavelu looked at me to answer.  I, said, “you are right sir, the nature of our business is timber, we get big sizes of wood, to stock the same, we need sufficient place, but we need two workers for horizontal sawmill, three workers for vertical sawmill, one man is required for sharpening the blade, and for other works we need two more persons totalling to 8 persons., hence, our business would come under the purview of Small Scale Industry, so please consider it as S.S.I and issue certificates accordingly.  Then the Officer though for a while and asked as to give the list of Members.  In this way, the members of our Association were given Small Scale Industry Certificates.

 

THANGAVELU SHOULDERED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OBTAINING FOREST LICENSE

 

The Range Officers from Forest Department came to Timber Depots & Sawmills and advised us to take licenses from the Forest Department for the purpose of our business. We have informed the same to Tamil Nadu Timber Federation. They met the Principal Conservator of Forests. They informed that it is not possible for the timber merchants to give the stock since the size of wood item is 10 feet long and if it is cut to 6 feet for their requirement, the remaining 4 feet will be idle and hence they are not able to give stock to the traders due to the said problems.  They said they will submit the explanation in writing for the rest of issues asked by the Department.  The Principal Conservator of Forests agreed for it.

 

 Due to the decision taken by the Forest Department, many timber merchants came forward to join as members of the Association. With this, the membership of our association was increased from 100 to around 120 members. Any Association with more than 100 membership, can get the E.C.Membership in the Chamber of Commerce and can renew it by submitting formal papers. So with this development, the credibility of Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association with more than 100 membership.

 

The Forest Department in Coimbatore is divided into three Range Offices. One is in Coimbatore with the Central City Range Officer with its office located in Forest College. The second Range Office is located Perayanayakanapalayam. The third one is named as D.LF. O Office located Opp: Rainbow Theatre in Trichy Road.

 

Thangavelu looked after most of the workload of the Association to get the Forest License. The filling up forms on behalf of members, who do not know how to fill; making corrections of the forms, if already filled by the members, marking of addresses of Range offices according to the jurisdiction, payment of fees in Range Offices duly collecting money from the Members, collecting of Licence from Offices and handing them over to the concerned members, are all done by Thangavelu.  In this exercise, Jayanthi Bhai and myself extended cooperation to Thangavelu and due to this Thangavelu became close to all the members.

 

 The reason why the Forest Department is doing all this, is to comply with the Supreme Court's judgment in a case rendered on 30^th October, 2002, observing that the forest is being destroyed and the environment is being damaged due to the establishment of plywood factories in Assam, and ordered that no new sawmills be allowed in the country. We, the Association President, Secretary, Treasurer, and myself have taken part in the entire episode of obtaining licences and completed the task.  The members were satisfied with our efforts.

 

DFO’s INSTRUCTIONS NOT TO PLANT SAPLINGS BY PRIVATE PEOPLE IN FOREST LANDS

 

I have placed a proposal in our general body meeting to ask the forest department to give 20 acres to our Association for planting saplings therein. It is because of the timber business we are earning and leading lives and after the plants are grown up, the same can be given to the department. Everyone agreed the proposal.

 

Jayantibai shared our idea with Panniru Selvam, Range Officer of Periyanayakanpalayam. He said that no Timber Association in Tamil Nadu has ever come up with such idea and our association has proposed it for the first time. He informed that there is a provision for this. He explained that the cost of each plant is Rs.2.50 ps, charges for planting is Rs.2.50 ps, watering charges is Rs.2.50 ps, then the plants will grow on their own, but the labour charges shall be borne by us.  Finally, he advised us to DFO Office atleast with 10 followers and tell them about our idea. 

 

We, the 10 people went to DFO Kannan. He said that our idea is good, but it is forest land belongs to government and hence the private people can not plant the Plants. Finally, he advised that we should plant saplings i.e. in schools or roadsides. So, we have given up the idea after what he said.

 

CONDUCTING OF COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE SAWMILL OF COMMITTEE MEMBER

 

Our Association was started in 1995. Since then, Presidents were changed, Secretaries were changed but the Treasurer was not changed. It is true that many of the members are not interested to change him and hence he remained unchanged. He (the Treasuer) is Jayantibhai Patel.

 

We have written in the byelaws that the committee meeting should be conducted once in every two months. We informed Jayanthibai, we would conduct each meeting at the place of business of each of our committee members so that all the Committee members would assemble at the place of meeting and it would give impression among the workers that we are all united.  All opined that it is necessary in the interest of Association. Jayantibhai said that if the hoisting member pays the expenses for the meeting, the expenditure of the Association will be reduced. This was accepted by all the committee members. Jayanthi Bhai started implementing this idea from himself first.

 

The idea of Jayanthibhai is to reduce the burden of expenses to THE association

 

The income of the association is sufficient for payment of salary and bonuses to Full Time Worker Mr. Shekhar. Since we have dispensed his services duly taking over the courier system by the association, we could meet the expenditure of outside works. But to look after the Association office work and other minor works, Jayantibai used to send the boys who came to work in his sawmill on part-time basis. Stalin was one of them. Later, Srinivasa Rao sent by one and Mahendra sent another. All of them were newcomers. After learning timber and sawmill work, they were employed in sawmill works. Thus Jayantibhai's idea helped to bring the change in reducing costs for the Timber Association. Though Jayantibhai was the treasurer, he used to attend all the works on par with the President and Secretary.

 

Most of our members are tenants since they are running business in rented buildings. When they were requesting the site owners to give written letters regarding their tenancy to take the Forest Licence, they were refusing to give letters and asking the tenants to vacate the site. When Jayanthibhai asked the DFO as to what is the solution to this problem, the DFO advised to those who have such a problem, they can write the name of a landmark near the place of their business, or the name of a nearby temple, or a major landmark nearby, so that the range officers can visit and check the eligibility to grant licence.

 

Jayanthibhai said “You are asking for stock details. It is possible to count the items like bags and sheets if they are sold. But ours is a business of sizes (timber). We will stock tree wood and supply them in pieces to customers. Hence we can not show the stock”. The D.F.O advised us to write down the amount of stock in cubic feet in the purchase bill, to subtract the amount of cubic feet sold from that and show balance as stock and no need to show the stock in sizes.

Jayanthibhai a very friendly man

 

Mr. Kannan DFO has been transferred. He was replaced by Mr. Gujaratbhai as DFO.  Jayantibhai spoke to him in Gujarati language. DFO was friendly towards Jayanthibhai for his goodness and amicability. Therefore, if the officers certify that the Forest Licence papers after seeing the stock and sign that they are correct, the DFO used to sign and send the papers to us. On one Sunday, Jayanthibhai invited the DFO and his family for a friendly visit to his home for a dinner.  They visited and stayed Jayantibai's house all day. He was honoured not only by the department people, but outsiders also respect him as well.

 

Saraswati Sawmill owner Mohanbai went to KG Hospital for gall bladder operation of her mother. He took Jayanthi Bhai to the hospital. Jayanthibhai also underwent a gall bladder operation in the said hospital itself. When Mohabhai, his mother and Jayanthibhai went into the hospital, Mohanbai told me that he was surprised to see that the doctor performing the operation to his mother came to meet Jayantibhai and bowed down and saluted to his legs. Such a great man Jayanthibhai is.

 

Supreme Court judgement made the Sawmill owners of the country united

 

One postal cover in the name of Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association with c/o. S. R Timber Depot.  I sent that envelope to the Secretary Thangavelu who was nearby. Thangavelu came to me with that letter. In that letter, it is written inviting all the representatives of Timber Associations of all the states to attend the meeting in Nagpur. When we asked the Timber Federation people about this, they said that they have not received such letter.

 

Thangavelu showed this letter to everyone in the committee meeting. We were surprised that they sent us the invitation duly enquire about our address. Our Gujarati friends called their relatives in the other states and asked about this letter. They said that the invitation was sent inviting all of us from all over India to discuss the Supreme Court order. The Committee Members have decided to send Suryanarayana (me) to represent on behalf of our Association.

 

Members of Timber Association from almost all states came to Nagpur

 

 I used to bring slaps from Nagpur when I was a partner in Venkateswara timber depot. Nagpur Timber Market is the largest timber market in India. But I have never been to Nagpur. However, I went to Nagpur according to the address. The meeting was conducted in the Nagpur Timber Association building. Timber Association members from the States of Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka etc. have come to the meeting. A member of Bengal Timber Association was appointed as the interim President.

 

The Supreme Court Order ON SAWMILLS

 

Due to the depletion of timber in India, the use of plywood in place of timber for house construction has increased. Therefore, plywood manufacturing companies were established in Assam. Plywood is being supplied all over the country. Environmental activists went to court as production of timber declined in Assam. Keeping the environment clean is important for human survival. Therefore, it was ordered by the Court to cancel the licenses of those who set up business inside the forest or nearer to the forest, not to give permissions to new sawmills, to seal all those were within 5 KMs radius in the forest and to stop their operations.  The Forest Department ordered that all sawmills shall have Licences in the entire country.

 

DIFFICULTIES CAUSED BY SUPREME COURT ORDER

 

Acting President explained that how can we separate timber business and sawmill business when we are all doing business of timber and sawmills particularly when the forest department is sealing the sawmills all over the country for not taking the forest license and it is not possible to do timber business without sawmills.  He said that the meeting now arranged is to discuss this matter.

 

Governments run their own sawmills

Some people opined that we should go to court, some people opined to meet the Environment Minister of the Union Government and some opined to meet some state ministers. I introduced myself that I am from Coimbatore Timber Merchants & Sawmill Owners Association.

 

Let's think about what is correlation between the environment and the sawmill we run. In 1882, the British government enacted a single Act for governing timber and fisheries business. Because the sizes and tiles were used to cut in manual process. Because this method is not meeting the needs of the people, the Sawmill came with developed missionary.

 

In Balasha, the government sells Timber through auction for every 15 days to 20 days. Also, the government established sawmills and cuts into sizes and slabs and sells them there itself.  In Nilambur depot of Kerala State, the timber is auctioned in the first week of the month and sold in three to four days. At Aravakopadu Depot, cuts the timber to sizes and sells them. Among these, there are small auction depots. There are government auction depots at Pollachi and MetupalMettupalayam of Tamil Nadu. There are timber markets in Warangal and Rajahmundry of Andhra Pradesh. In this way governments have done business in other states as well.

 

The role of governments in environmental degradation

 

My walking friend Mr. Augustine, the D.F.O (Retd) has said something to me. He said that the sawmills do not harm the environment and when the refugees from Bangladesh came to our country in the 7 sister states of the North East, as well as Sri Lankan refugees, we cut down thousands of acres of forest land in Ooty, Coonoor, Kodaikanal, Valparai and some other places to provide work. It's all soft food. He further said that we cleared these lands and planted tea estates and coffee plantations and provided weekly work, which resulted in the damage of environment. 

 

He finally said that it makes no sense to say that the environment has been damaged by sawmills.

 

The government planted tea and coffee plants in the places where the trees were removed.  He expressed grief and told that, if we plant 4 saplings in the places where teak, rosewood and other hardwood trees are cut down so that we would have our own forest. The timber merchants listened attentively but gave no response.

 

When the problem is one, the name of the association is another

 

 Eleven Members are invited after lunch to choose name for the Association. On behalf of the Coimbatore Timber & Sawmill Owners’ Association I was invited.

 

The President proposed a name to the association and asked the members to give their opinion on it. The name is AII India Timber Merchants and Allied Industries Federation. Almost all associations agreed to this suggestion. Mr. Ramakrishna Rao and Ramakrishna who came from Andhra asked for the details of description on adding the “Allied Industries” in the name.  They expressed doubt as to the inclusion of “plying work” and “Sawmill”. The President said that Allied Industries means all the names will be covered in it.

 

The name of the sawmill must be included in the name of the association

 

 I expressed my opinion that this name is not suitable for our problem since our problem is not timber but related to Sawmill. So I said that the name is not complete without inclusion of the name of Sawmill. I placed all the related books that I have, before them and explained that as we can see any page in the books, all the problems are laid with Sawmill alone as observed by the Supreme Court and not even a single word is there about Timber business, which means the Court has no objection for doing timber business.  But, practically, it is not possible to do timber business without sawmill, I said.

 

 

If the Sawmill people goes to court without inclusion of “Sawmill” in the name and if Court questions as to how the case is filed on the issues related to Sawmills without their name in the Federation/Association, it would be difficult for us to answer with “Allied Industries”, I explained. Therefore, I said that the name of the association must contain the name of the sawmill. The Members from Andhra members also supported me.

 

All the member Associations discussed on my opinion and finally named it as “All India Timber Merchants Sawmill Owners and Allied Industries”. It was accepted by all. “Let's have a meeting soon, Elections will be held in that meeting, everyone must attend” the Acting President said. I left for Coimbatore on the same night.

 

The awaited response in Nagpur came well before my coming to Coimbatore

 

Kanjibhai telephoned me in the morning and informed that he received a call from Nagpur yesterday from the association representatives who attended and he well explained the meeting issues, he also informed that I have raised that the name of the association was not complete due to non-inclusion of “Sawmill”, and got it included after detailed analytical explanation with the consent of all the members. 

 

“They said that they were surprised to see that the person who came from Tamil Nadu spoke good Hindi”, Kanjibhai said. I explained Nagpur matters to the members in the Committee meeting.

 

The invitation of the proposed meeting of All India Timber Merchants Saw Mill Owners & Allied Industries Meeting at Bangalore has been sent to all the members. Ambika Timber Vasantha Bhai, Thangavelu, Ramalingam and myself went to Bangalore for that meeting.

 

Elections were held in that meeting. Member of Calcutta Timber Association (Acting President of Nagapur) was elected as President. Other members were also declared elected. The Coimbatore Timber Association was taken as committee member in the elections. We said we will tell our consent afterwards. The Delhi Association people asked to open for All India Timber Association Office at Delhi so that we will be able to meet the Central Government Officials whenever required. All the members agreed for the said proposal.

 

Membership subscription of All India Timber Association are fixed as follows:

1. Individual association membership - Rs.5,000/ p.a

2. State Timber Federation membership- Rs.25,000/- p.a

 

Vasantbhai reserved to and fro train tickets for us in first class compartment.  He asked to give him normal ticket fare and volunteered to bear the rest of the charges. Vasanthabhai's idea was that the expenditure should not be a much burden to the Coimbatore Timber Association. All association members were of the same idea.

 

Tamil Nadu Federation to be made a member of All India Timber Association

 

Vasanthabai explained the issues that were discussed in the Committee Meeting at Bangalore. He informed the Committee that our association was nominated as a All India Committee Member and the same is kept pending for confirmation after discussion in our committee meeting. He requested the members to offer their views on becoming Member of the Federation.  The Members accepted the proposal of becoming Member of the Federation.

 

I have spoken in the Committee Meeting.  I explained that the Timber Federation would get support from the State Federation which is useful to represent the issues to the State Government.  Similarly the State Federation would get support from the All India Timber Association which is useful to represent the issues to the Central Government.  Otherwise, the Association is enrolled as Member in individual capacity, the support will be from a single Organisation but not from Federation as a whole.  Since we will be a Member of State Timber Federation, we can ask for our membership in All India Timber Federation to enrol our membership.

 

Forethought on the prospects of Coimbatore Timber Merchants and Saw Mill Owners Association

 

 

I went to the Tamil Nadu Timber Federation Committee meeting. In that meeting I explained the discussions that took place in the All India Timber Merchants Saw Mill Owners & Allied Industries Association. I told the meeting that they have taken our Association as EC member of All India Association and the fact that we have put it on hold. The reason for keeping it pending is, that they asked as to whether we intend to become a member individually or as a Member-Federation.  The subscription fixed for individual membership as Rs.5,000/- and for Federation Membership as Rs.25,000/-. All associations in Tamil Nadu will become members of All India Timber Association if you are enrolled as member of Federation. I said that our association thinks that it is better to be a member of the Federation instead of holding single entity and requested to offer their opinions.

 

They said that they do not know how to speak Hindi. I advised them to send some of them who know English.  They said that it is better for the other committee members to become members of the Timber Federation. I gave the address to send the subscription of Rs.25,000/-.

 

Coimbatore Timber Trade Ties with All India Timber Trade

 

Ever since Tamil Nadu Timber Federation joined All India Timber Merchants Association, all timber associations in Tamil Nadu have tied up with All India Timber Trade. All this happened in the year 2003-2004.

 

I left for Vijayawada on 31st October 2006. When the Timber Association established in 1995, I said that I would not take any other position, either President or Secretary or Treasurer. Thus, I played my role as a Primary Member in the Timber Association for 10 years in coordination with all the Members. So, it is proved that :

 

There is no need for a person to have a position or leadership to serve an organization when ample cooperation, coordination and guidance from the fellow members and friends are well available always.

 

                                                               ……. Y.Suryanarayana

9618215837

Living in Vijayawada

Andhra Pradesh, India