BJP’s Er Ajaz urges govt to lift ban

Pampore: Scores of stone quarry owners along with tipper drivers held a silent protest at Zewan area in the outskirts of Srinagar on Saturday demanding the government to lift the ban on mining activities.
Bharatiya Janata Party National Youth Vice President, DDC member Khanmoh-B Er Aijaz Hussain visited the Zewan Panthachowk and met stone quarry association members. He urged the government to lift a ban on stone quarrying in Zewan, Panthachowk and other areas.
The quarry owners alleged the ban has left them with no source of income. They urged the administration to immediately lift the ban so that they can earn their livelihood,
Riyaz Ahmad, a quarry owner, told Kashmir Readerfor past six decades we have been doing this work, but a sudden ban has snatched their livelihood.
He added they should be allowed to operate on previous terms until environmental clearance is received ,” he said.
Hussain also urged the administration to issue short term permissions until environmental clearance as quarry owners have been facing tough times in last two years
“I appeal to the authorities to issue short-term permissions until they solve these matters as the unitholders have already been issued their blocks,” he told Kashmir Reader, adding that the government should seriously look into the matter as the livelihood of hundreds of people is at stake.

BILAL HABIB