Srinagar, Feb 24 (KNO): National Conference (NC) leader Ahsan Pardesi on Friday said that the government policy on doing away with NOC for establishing stone crushers and hot mix plants is half-hearted measure as the ban on stone quarries from Athwajan to Khanmouh belt continues unabated.
“From the day one of ban, I have been very vocal and issuing statements against the ban. Ironically, people who put the ban are crying for its removal,” Pardesi said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said this area was a major source for supply of raw materials for industries allied with it. “Establishing a unit where the cost of raw materials is too high is not a feasible venture. Hence, people have to think many times before setting up stone crushers or hot mix plant units,” he said.
Pardesi stated that the government should consider the things in totality else these half hearted measures will be of no use. He appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to personally look into the matter for removing the ban on trade of stone quarries. “This, I believe, will go a long way in revolutionizing the entrepreneurship sector in Kashmir,” he said.
While drawing the attention of the government towards the ban on quarrying from Athwajan to Khonmoh, Pardesi said the people associated with the trade find themselves permanently out of work.
“It isn’t just those directly involved in the quarrying business that has been affected. The ban has had a cascading effect on the entire economic network built around the quarries – stone crushers, hot mixing plant and truck spare part dealers, workshops involved in the maintenance of equipment,” he said.
He added that the quarries keep construction contractors in business. “They supply stones to stone crusher units that, in turn, provide crushed stones to hot-mix plants for the macadamisation of roads," he added.
“It is expected that the government will relook on its decision and allow quarrying in the entire Athwajan belt, of course with due set of safety rules in place to be followed in the process,” he said—(KNO)