PRIs urge Govt to allow sand & stone mining
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 05 2022:
Though the recent cabinet meeting has lifted the ban imposed on sand & stone mining, there are still issues in quarrying the construction materials due to refusal by transporters, noted Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) under Sawombung CD Block Imphal East.
The PRIs also urged the state government to designate sand & stone mining area for easy procurement.
Addressing a press meet at Sawombung on Thursday, Waiton Gram Panchayat pradhan Pukhrambam Surbala stated that sand & stones are major components for various developmental works taken up in rural areas under MGNREGA, 15th Finance Commission and state finance.
Despite the government revoking the ban on sand & stone mining, transport operators are reluctant to transport such materials due to high road tax and prohibition by Industry Department, she mentioned.
Surbala drew the attention of chief minister N Biren towards this problem and urged for allotting spe cific area for mining of sand & stone in legal manner so as to resolve the issue and pave way for faster development.
If the present situation continues then all developmental works will get delayed, apart from affecting the livelihood of transporters, she added.