Few apply for permission to use JCB machines for mining in Una, Kangra

There are only a few takers for the state’s new mining policy, under which the government has allowed the use of JCB machines for excavation. As per the data collected by ‘The Tribune’ in Una district, out of 40 stone crusher owners, only six have applied for the permission to use JCB machines under the new mining policy.

The Congress government has, under the new policy, permitted the use of JCB machines for excavation at leased mining sites. The stone crusher owners, who will be allowed to use the machines, will have to deposit a security of Rs 12 lakh for permission to use JCB machines for excavation at a mining site for two years.

As per the data, only six of 40 stone crusher owners in Una district have applied for permission to use JCB machines. In Kangra as well, out of 65 stone crusher owners, less than 10 have applied for the permission to use JCB machines. However, the applicants are yet to get permission from the government.

According to sources, the stone crusher owners have welcomed the government policy to allow the use of heavy machines in mining operations. They say that the legal use of JCB machines will help curb illegal mining.

A stone crusher owner of Una says that till date, the use of JCB machines for mining activities was prohibited yet there were nearly 300 JCB machines registered in the district and most of them were used for illegal mining. Since they could not legally use heavy machines for mining, the stone crusher owners were allegedly blackmailed by officials. Mining operations were not possible without JCB machines and whenever these were used, the authorities concerned forced the stone crusher owners to pay gratification, he alleges. If the government legalises the use of JCB machines, it will receive the feeand the stone crusher owners will not be blackmailed, he adds.

Dimple Thakur, president of the Stone Crusher Owners’ Union in Una, says that there were 40 stone crushers in the district and all of them would apply for permission to use JCB machines under the new policy. “Initially, there were a few takers, but many persons would apply once the government begins giving permission for the use of JCB machines, which would increase its revenue from mining by at least 60 per cent to 80 per cent. It will also save the stone crusher owners from being harassed and check illegal mining,” he adds.

Yonus, Director Industries, says that the rules for giving permission to the stone crusher owners for the use of JCB machines for excavation have been notified. In near future, the applications will be processed and permission will be granted. They hope that the legal use of JCB machines will increase the income of the government and help curb illegal mining, he adds.

Una and Kangra are the hub of the stone mining and crushing industry and rampant illegal mining allegedly takes place in the districts.