Forest Corporation Revenue at Rs 411 Crore in Three Years: No Pension Provision for Employees, Assembly Told | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday informed the Assembly that the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Development Corporation (JKFDC) has generated a total revenue of Rs 411.42 crore over the last three financial years, even as its employees remain outside the pension framework.

Replying to Starred Assembly Question raised by MLA Miss Deryani Rana, the government said the corporation earned Rs 158.67 crore in 2023–24, Rs 125.65 crore in 2024–25, and Rs 127.10 crore in 2025–26, taking the cumulative revenue to Rs 411.42 crore.

The government traced the origins of the corporation to the establishment of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Corporation (SFC) in 1979 under the JK SFC Act, which replaced the earlier Government Lumbering Undertaking. It was later restructured into the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Development Corporation (JKFDC) under the Companies Act, 2013, following an Administrative Council decision in June 2020.

The House was informed that the corporation’s primary mandate is the scientific and commercial management of forest produce, including extraction, transportation, and sale of timber through public auctions and concessional depots. These activities, the government said, contribute to revenue generation and local employment.

On the issue of pensionary benefits, the government stated that no assessment has been conducted to examine whether such benefits can be provided to retired employees from the corporation’s revenue. It clarified that employees of the corporation are governed by the JK SFC Employees (Conditions of Service) Regulations, 1993, under which their services are classified as non-pensionable.

Regarding staffing, the government said a total of 2,284 employees across various cadres have retired since 2010 onwards, including personnel from executive, ministerial, accounts, legal, engineering, and field categories.

The reply indicates that while the corporation continues to generate substantial revenue through its operations, issues related to employee welfare, particularly post-retirement benefits, remain unaddressed.