THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Quarries and crushers in the state will shut down indefinitely from today, bringing the construction sector to a standstill. This is in protest of steep hikes in security fees for quarries and royalties on mined rock, and making weighbridges mandatory.

Royalty was increased by 100 percent (from ₹24 to ₹48 per tonne) and security fee by 400 percent (from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lacks). Another suggestion was to install weighbridges in all quarries to know the weight of each load.

The government has amended the relevant rules with effect from April 1. Quarry owners say that it is impossible to install weighbridges in all the quarries at once. About 680 small and big quarries are working in the state. According to the report of the expert committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal, the minimum distance limit from houses for quarries to be operated is 150 meters but currently, it is 50 meters. If the distance limit is increased, 95 percent of the quarries will not be able to operate. The state government should intervene in this regard is another demand.

The coordination committee of six organizations in the region announced a strike because there was no solution to the problem despite petitions by the quarry owners' organizations submitted to many, including the Chief Minister.

Workers directly connected with quarries: 2 lakhs

Total number of quarries: 686

The amount government receives annually in the form of fees, royalties, and taxes: 2000 crores

The amendment in the Act is to prevent leakage of revenue due to the government in the form of royalty.

P Rajeev

Minister of Industries (said earlier)

The market price of quarry stone will double due to the amendment. The construction sector will be in crisis.

MK Babu, General Secretary

Quarry and Crusher Co-ordination Committee