SIRAHA, JANUARY 13
Crusher entrepreneurs of Siraha have submitted a memorandum to the district administration office, expressing serious concerns about the government's recent decision to shut their businesses.
On behalf of the entrepreneurs, Nepal Crusher and Mining Industry Entrepreneurs Association, Siraha, handed over a memorandum to chief district officer Lalbabu Kawadi, taking exception to the district administration's decision to shut crusher plants operating in the district in line with the decision of the ministry concerned from today.
The memorandum has it that crusher industries in the district will be shut and sale and distribution of sand, gravel and stones will be stopped until the government decides to renew these industries.
The entrepreneurs said they were ready to follow the government decision but explained that they were dismayed by the recent crackdown at an inopportune time.
"Our business is already in crisis and on top of it, this is the time when we are pressed to pay back to banks; it's sad to see the government shutting our plants instead of helping us now, said entrepreneur Rajendra Yadav.
According to Yadav, all plants, including those which have deadline to still get their businesses renewed, will be shut until the government decides to allow renewal for all plants. "Why were we allowed to set up our businesses earlier and why are we being targeted now?" he asked.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, on January 4, had directed district administration offices across the country to shut crusher plants operating without meeting standard criteria. Of the 23 crusher plants registered in the district, only seven still have deadlines for renewal.
Sixteen others have their renewal deadline expired already.
Around a dozen other crusher plants are said to be operating in the district without being registered with the concerned authority.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 14, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
