Port Blair, Jan 05: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, President, PCC alongwith quarry owners met with the Chief Secretary Mr. Anand Prakash on 4th January, 2012 and stated that due to acute shortage and want of quarry material maximum developmental works in these islands have come to stand still. The middle and lower middle class people had/have to stop their construction work of dwelling houses etc at the starting or at the midway because of non availability of the materials locally because they could not afford the sky touching imported materials for their constructions works. The contractors became overburdened with the interest bearing loan amounts which they had borrowed from Banks or other parties to undertake construction works but later were compelled to stop the works in the mid way due to non availability of building materials.
The worst sufferers were those labours who were engaged by the contractors but later were dismissed. In the Government sector, the PRI members, Municipal Council and Zilla Parishad are also facing the public annoyance as they could not even fillup a small path hole due to want of quarry materials and maximum bye lanes remain unattended for long time. Such being the case, to ease these problems, recently auction was held by the AN Administration for quarry and the successful bidders were selected. But since, the work order has not been issued till date due to one reason or other, Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary to release work order so that the quarry owners may start their work and the islanders may get relief. The Chief Secretary has given patience hearing and assured to look into the matter.
