After failing to evoke response from international bidders in the previous two phases of global auction of seized red sanders logs, Andhra Pradesh Government on Thursday issued orders for conducting the fifth phase to dispose 2,868 metric tonnes of the precious wood.
With the same quantity remaining unsold in the third and fourth phases, the government constituted a five-member auction team, comprising three senior officials from the forest department, additional secretary finance department and project director, e-procurement to devise auction strategy, coordinate with MSTC Ltd, the agency appointed for conducting e-auction and give wide publicity among prospective international/domestic buyers.
According to top forest department official, the exact dates for conducting global e-tender-cum-e-auction would be decided shortly.
The Director General of Foreign Trade had earlier permitted AP Government to export over 8,584 MTs of red sanders wood in log form, out of the seized stock available with the State Government.
Forest officials had attributed the lack of response during the fourth phase to economic slow down in China even as the government pinned hopes of raising at least Rs.1,000 crore.
The government accepted the recommendation of Tender Committee to fix the starting price at Rs.30 lakh per MT for ‘A’ grade, Rs.20 lakh per MT for ‘B’ grade and Rs.12 lakh per MT for ‘C’ grade for the fifth phase.
About 2,868 metric tonnes of precious wood to be disposed off in the auction
