The Andhra Pradesh Government has postponed the e-tender-cum-e-auction of red sanders from September 19 to October 10-17, 2014.
The rescheduling was done to facilitate foreign buyers to visit red sanders' depots after the completion of roadshows by officials in China and Japan, A V Joseph, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Andhra Pradesh Government, told newspersons here on Saturday.
The Chinese authorities had sought a minimum time of 15 days after the roadshow for the Chinese bidders.
There were also some operational issues to be addressed, the official added.
A host of measures were also announced to ensure transparency.
MSTC Ltd was directed to furnish only the highest bid amount for each lot without disclosing the identity of the purchaser to the principal chief conservator of forests for confirmation.
Foreign buyers could export the material either from Chennai or any other port in the State with police security, Joseph said.
The Government had earlier announced the sale of about 8,584 tonnes of red sanders. In the first phase, 4,000 tonnes would be e-auctioned with a starting price of Rs 7 lakh per tonne.
So far, 415 prospective buyers had visited the depots. "This includes 140 foreign buyers, out of which 109 were from China," the official said.