Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 23: following deep uncertainty over quarry operation in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the loss being caused to the people of these remote Islands, the BJP has now taken up this matter with the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Today Mr. Vishal Jolly, the State President, BJP, A & N Islands, met the Lt. Governor, A & N Islands and raised him the present burning issue of Quarry operation.
The State President, BJP explained him about the large scale of economic exploitation which the general public would face if the operation of quarries, extraction and supply of stone aggregates from these Islands are stopped for meeting the requirement of the general public in the present market rate.
Anticipating acute jump in prices/rates of the stone aggregates, he further explained the Administrator about the additional monetary burden which the general public are likely to face.
Mr. Jolly further made an in depth analysis of the entire facts and circumstances of this issue and also presented a comparative chart statement with respect to the rates/prices which would rise if the stone aggregates are allowed to be brought from foreign countries and mainland.
He further highlighted a range of unemployment problems the workers of the local quarry operators would face, in the event, the operation of quarries, extraction and supply of stone aggregates from these Islands is stopped.
Mr. Vishal Jolly has also requested the Lt. Governor to allow the local quarries to operate.
The A & N State BJP president has also written a letter to the LG in this regard and said that at present 70 quarries (38 in South Andaman and 32 in North & Middle Andaman) are allotted earning al royalty amount of Rs.15 crores.
“At present 125 Nos. Crusher Units are functioning in South Andaman and North & Middle Andaman providing more than 4,000 direct employment and 6,000 indirect employment to the locals of these Islands. The total capital outlay is expected to be more than 350 crores on plant and machinery. The entrepreneurs have borrowed the money from various banks and invested to create such an infrastructure. Apart from the above more than 30 small scale industries such as welding shops, lathe works, fabrication units and more than 100 shops supplying oil, spare parts, hardware, boats, inter-island cargo vessels will be affected very badly. Since the quarry products are extracted locally the cost of stone aggregates will be comparatively very low when compared with mainland or foreign countries and will be an additional burden on the exchequer,” Mr. Jolly added.
After giving a patient hearing, the Lt. Governor reportedly assured the BJP President that he would look into the entire issue appropriately and take a positive early decision in this regard.
There are many in Andaman who are alleging that ban on quarry will indirectly benefit a few prominent businessmen from Andaman, who are brining quarry materials from Mainland India and also Foreign countries.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that some groups are planning protest all over Andaman over this quarry ban.
