KATHMANDU, JUNE 18
The Federation of Nepal Crushers and Mining Industry Entrepreneurs (FNCMIE) has warned of halting the production and distribution of gravel and sand across the country from July 16.
Stating that the initiatives taken by the government over the past decade have not resolved the issues faced by the crusher industries, the federation through a press conference held today, has demanded the government to ease the renewal process of crusher mines and sand industries that are registered and licensed in accordance with the law by June 30. It has further warned of halting operation if its demands are not met.
According to Sitaram Neupane, president of the federation, the industries that were operating according to the law were also shut down as a result of faulty government policies introduced in the name of closing the illegal crusher industry. Although the decision was made by the Council of Ministers on January 25 to levy taxes, duties, fees, and other revenues in accordance with the law in the case of the crusher industry and resume the operation of such industries, industries have not been able to renew their licence, as government offices across the country have rejected their registration process and tax collection citing unclear directions from the government.
The federation has warned of stopping the production and distribution operation of all crusher, mines, and sand industries across the country from June 16 if the government does not direct the related government bodies to register the renewal application of crusher mines and sand industries.
Stating that mining stone, gravel, and sand as raw materials and processing them are two separate natures of work, the federation has urged the government to make arrangements for the operation management of extracting raw materials through the local government and of crusher industries through the Ministry of Industries.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 19, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
