Manawar (Madhya Pradesh): An indefinite strike by ballast mine dealers began in Manawar on Saturday, with more than 10 mine owners suspending operations in response to a demand from the Bhopal Ballast Mine Federation.
This strike has led to a complete stop in the supply of mineral materials used in construction, affecting contractors and the general public who have been unable to obtain these materials for the past three days.
Abhay Sogani, president of the Mine Association, stated that around 2,000 stone crushers and mines are currently operating in the state. He noted that the crusher industry is facing significant challenges, leading to decreased production and a loss of revenue for the government over the past few years.
The mining dealers have made five primary demands to the government. They want to abolish stamp duty on increasing royalties in mining plans and enhance land delineation using satellite surveys. They claim that the present approach has resulted in illegal excavation due to discrepancies between the mine's actual state and survey data.
Trader Pankaj Godha emphasised the need for enhanced geo-tagging by the Mineral Department and proposed a collaborative campaign with the Revenue Department, similar to initiatives in Gujarat, to address these concerns.
Mine owner Arvind Sogani stated that the disparities in rules among departments have generated financial and mental burdens for mine owners. Sunil Jain affirmed that all colleagues are united in their walkout, which will last until their demands are satisfied.
