Idrees Ali
Ganderbal 13 Nov【KNZ】: Thousand of Labourers who are associated with quarrying in various areas of Ganderbal are in dolldrums as government is conducting auction for grant of minor mineral lease on Thursday.
Thousands are people associated with extraction and transportation of Sand ,Gravel ,boulder and Other construction aggregate in various areas of Ganderbal.
Government had put hold on any quarrying activities in the various areas of Ganderbal which include Arch, Wayil Babsipora, Malpora ,Waheedpora and Malpora .
A group of Labourers said,”The ban on Quarrying had effected livelihood of thousand of Labourers in the district.We are penny less.We don’t know what is going to happen ,Our soul mean of earning is quarrying.government should come clear what will be future of thousand of people associated with extraction and transportation of minor minerals.”
Firdous Ahmad Baba President of Tipper owners union said,”There are numerous educated youth who are associated with quarrying in Ganderbal. successive governments failed to provide them employment.Fed up with government ,educated unemployed youth sold their property any brought lorries and carrier tractors for transportation of Minor Minerals.There are no clear guidelines how we are going to work after lease auction.”
We used to pay , Royalty and toll tax to government exchequer , still government is hellbent to take our livelihood.” He added
Government is going to conduct auction for grant of mining lease of minor minerals for the period of five years as per minor mineral concession storage transport of minerals and prevention of illegal mining rules vide SRO 105 on sixteenth of November.
Officials said 6 blocks from Wayil bridge to Duderhuma bridge will be auctioned on Thursday.
Government had termed quarrying in the area ‘illegal’ according to SRO 105.
When contacted District Mineral officer Geology and Mining he Said,”Labourers and Other people associated with minor mineral extraction should not worry.No machinery will be used for quarrying in these six blocks. local Labourers will be employed for quarrying after lease.Resonable rates will be fixed for transportation and the minerals.”
He further added ,”Ecology of the Sind was also effected by illegal and Unregulated quarrying.Grant of mining on lease will put end to illegally mining in the area. Unregulated quarrying will also stop ,as lease holder will be responsible for illegal mining.”
