Crusher operators' license renewed for 6 more months

KATHMANDU, Jan 17:

The government on Friday renewed the licenses of crusher operators allowing them to operate their crusher plants until mid-July. The decision has extended the deadline for implementation of the new standards for crusher industry as the government could not provide new sites for running the plants as agreed earlier.

Talking to Republica, Industry Minister Mahesh Basnet said the deadline for implementation of new standards has been extended by six months as the government could not provide electricity and road to 95 stone quarries in 14 districts. Friday’s cabinet meeting took a decision to this effect.
 
Their licenses had expired on Wednesday and this is the third time government extended the deadline for implementation of new standards which require crusher plants to keep distance from forests, rivers and highways.

The government had agreed to provide designated stone quarries to crusher plant operators failing to comply with set standards. The crusher operators had been indiscriminately exploiting natural resources with utter regard to the environmental damage their operations caused.

Crusher operators had staged protests after their licenses were not renewed in July last year affecting construction works and finally compelling the government to bow to their demands.
 
The Department of Mines and Geology identified 95 locations in 14 districts in October to excavate and operate crushers but other line ministries including the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport have not even started works to provide electricity and roads.

“A committee led by Industry Secretary comprising has already decided to build infrastructures in the identified stone quarries,” said Yam Kumari Khatiwada, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry.

Minister Basnet also said that the government will build the infrastructures by the next six months. Basnet also said that they will review the standards by the time as suggested by the district administration offices.

There are around 600 registered crusher plants across the country. But only around 350 of them are currently in operation.

Source: Republica