Jakhar meets Natrajan, highlights plight of brick kiln industry
Friday, 14/12/2012
http://punjabnewsline.com/news/Jakhar-meets-Natrajan_-highlights-plight-of-brick-kiln-industry.html
CHANDIGARH/DELHI: Sunil Jakhar Leader of opposition, Vijay Inder Singla MP Sangrur and Rana Gurjeet Singh former MP met the Union Forest and Environment Minister Jayanti Natrajan and highlighted the issue of the complete closure of the brick kiln industry in Punjab.
Jakhar informed the minister that in Punjab there are about 2,700 small brick kilns which are not being allowed to function which has led to unemployment of over 6 lakh labourers.
He alleged that the problem has arisen due to the lackadaisical approach of the Punjab government not having amended its Minor Minerals Concession Rules of 1964 as was mandated by the Supreme Court directive on February 27,2012.
“States like Rajasthan, UP, MP, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have on the directive of Supreme Court of India amended their Minor Mineral Policy 1957 and 1964 unlike Punjab”, the CLP leader informed.
The non-amendment of the act has halted the construction activity completely in the state which has further led to unemployment of over 20 lakh labourers and artisans. Apart from that, the cost of construction materials in the state has skyrocketed due to mining mafia active in the state under political patronage.
Jayanti Natraran expressed her concern at the prevailing situation and assured the delegation that the Union Government will act swiftly in a positive manner to any policy initiative received from the Punjab government.
