Quarry strike to oppose royalty system may hit construction work

The Karnataka State Stone Mines and Stone Crusher Owners’ Federation has decided to shut down stone quarries, jelly stone crushers and M-Sand units across Karnataka from September 18, opposing the collection of royalty at two stages.

Addressing a press conference, federation president D. Siddaraju said that the protest would continue until the royalty system is rectified.

“Supplies of jelly and M-Sand required for construction activities will be stopped. We will also take steps at check-posts to prevent mineral resources from outside the state from entering Karnataka. It is unfair to collect royalty again from mine leaseholders when royalty has already been paid. We oppose any move that imposes an additional financial burden on the stone mining sector,” Mr. Siddaraju said, according to a release.

He explained that at present, royalty is being collected from quarry or lease owners for the extraction of minor minerals. Royalty is also being deducted at the stage of utilisation of the same mineral material in works undertaken by various government departments, he said.

“The government should issue a White Paper on the total amount of royalty collected from the stone mining sector so far,” he demanded. He also said that the amendments made to the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994, need to be comprehensively reviewed.