Constructions set to become costlier in Kashmir

Building constructions in Kashmir are set to become costlier, as the government has introduced SRO 105 making quarrying pricier.
The government has issued Jammu and Kashmir minor mineral concession, storage, transportation of minerals and prevention of illegal mining rules 2016, vide SRO 105 dated 31.03.2016.
As per the rules every mineral concession holder i.e. stone quarry, sand extractors, soil excavator has to obtain various clearances including mining plan, environment clearance, etc., before any type of extraction of building material.
The united quarry association in Kashmir has opposed the rules enshrined in SRO 105 and is on strike for last one week. The strike has halted the supply of construction materials across the Valley.
According to the association – an amalgam of various quarry holders- the SRO 105 would render thousands of workers jobless besides increasing the cost of construction material such as stones, bricks, etc., by over 200 per cent.
As per the association, SRO-105 dated 31-03-2016 issued by the JK government is “rigid and exhaustive”.
They said that the SRO makes it mandatory for “poor quarry holders to prepare a mining plan, deposit a security amount of Rs 50,000 per hectare which would add burden to the common people.”
They said there are various implications of the SRO apart from no objection certificates it makes mandatory for the quarry holders to acquire from various boards.
Talking to us, President, United Quarry Association, Mushtaq Ahmad said the SRO has rendered them jobless and will provide an opportunity for outside agencies to get lease of mines in Kashmir.
“Obtaining of clearances is beyond the capacity of quarry holders, who earn their livelihood on daily basis by way of extracting minor minerals. We have already conveyed our protest to the government and urge them to rollback the order as it has created problems for quarry holders,” he said, adding that the implementation of SRO 105 would result in 200 per cent hike in the cost of construction materials.
He said a truckload of stones was sold at Rs 2500- 3000. “Now if the SRO is implemented, it would cost the people Rs 9000. Similarly, the prize of bricks and sand would increase manifold.”
President, Brick Kilns Association, Manzoor Ahmad also expressed resentment against SRO 105 which “makes extraction of minerals a costly affair.”
“On one side the government is asking people to work in private sector and on the other it is destroying the private sector by its mindless polices,” he said, demanding immediate revocation of SRO.
“Besides royalty, the quarry holders have to pay additional 10 per cent towards the mineral restoration fund and some further contribution to the district mineral foundation,” he said.
Earlier, the quarry holders were granted permission by the government through geology and mining department to extract stones from quarries in accordance with the mineral concession rules of 1962.
The quarry holders by virtue of rules of 1962 were to pay application fee of Rs 5 besides an amount of royalty in advance for grant of permission.
“The SRO 105 states that outsiders can also participate in bidding for quarry. The authorities have also increased the royalty that poor stone quarry men cannot afford,” they said.
Meanwhile, officials of Geology and Mining department said the SRO has been implemented to increase the revenue of the department.