Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 22: Despite clear cut directions from the concerned authorities regarding its closure, a stone crusher continues to operate without securing the required permission from the concerned department.
As per details, a stone crusher being operated in Sadura village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district by one Ghulam Hassan Mir, was constructed on state land and has been operating without permission.
The locals residing in the area have been approaching the concerned authorities seeking closure of the stone crusher, however, the closure orders issued have not been implemented on the ground so far, the locals said.
“The functioning of the crusher is hazardous to the health of the living in the area. The dust coming out of the crusher affects the agricultural produce, particularly the health of the residents,” the residents said.
They said that the owner of the stone crusher was approached by the local Auqaf Committee along with other responsible persons of the village asking him to close the unit. “But, he refused categorically and also threatened them of dire consequences,” they said.
They said that the concerned Tehsildar was also made aware of the issue, but no action was taken.
The residents have written to the Deputy Commissioner, following which the concerned officials were directed to implement the closure order issued by the Pollution Control Board, but to no avail.
As per the documents, the locals also complained to the police station Anantnag regarding the illegal encroachment carried out by the owner of the crusher and demanded the filing of an FIR in this regard which was later done.
Also in a letter to the SHO police station Anantnag, Department of Geology and Mining, J&K in August last year informed that no licence or legal authority has been obtained from them by the concerned stone crusher “till date, neither he has applied for the completion of codal formalities as prescribed by the Government,” the letter read.
It added that an amount of over Rs 32 lakh is outstanding as price of mineral against the defaulter in the District Mineral Office Anantnag on account of “illegal transportation and crushing of material.”
Interestingly, in the year 2019, the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag directed the SDMs of Dooru, Kokernag Bijbehara, and Tehsildar Anantnag, Mattan to close down the illegal stone crushers operating in the District, however, nothing was done on the ground.
The Pollution Control Board has ordered a closure of the stone crusher vide NO:- SPCB of 2018 Dated:- 23/10/2018, directing the District administration to implement the said order.
While the concerned Tehsildar said that the said stone crusher has been closed, as reported by the concerned Naib Tehsildar, while impressing that the said stone crusher is not operational at present, however, the locals said that the unit continues to operate.
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