Matra Sadan, samiti lock horns over quarrying

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 27

Matra Sadan inmates today said they would continue to oppose quarrying from Raiwala till Bhogpur in Haridwar district. They flayed the pro-quarrying supporters, who have been demanding opening of the quarrying lots.

Meanwhile, the Chugan Vyapar Ektga Samiti said that they were not being allowed quarrying despite having permit for 22 lots due to several reasons.

Spiritual head Swami Shivanand of the Jagjeetpur-based Matra Sadan said the quarrying mafia had been carrying out quarrying works illegally.

Citing impact of quarrying on Ganga river bed and local ecology, Swami Shivanand said 90 per cent of the damage had been done due to quarrying in the district for which “neither the state government nor the district administration was serious.”

Demanding extension of prohibition on quarrying from Raiwala in Dehradun till Bhogpur in Haridwar, he said, “If implemented strictly, it will ensure sanctity and purity of Ganga as well as lessen the damage being done to local ecology due to quarrying.”

He threatened to hold agitation in case quarrying was permitted. “State Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi listened to the views of local villagers and others on quarrying today. This is not right. The issue doesn’t fall within the purview of the Health Department so they can’t listen or take decision on quarrying. Vested interests seem to be the reason behind his interference. The state already lags when it comes to health facilities so the minister should focus on his department and issues that concern his Assembly segment Kotdwara,” he said.

Meanwhile, pro-quarrying supporters have sought opening of the quarrying lots in the district. Under the aegis of the Chugan Vyapar Ektga Samiti, they demanded permission for “at least” manual quarrying.

Samiti president Madan Lal said, “There are 22 chugan permit lots till Bhogpur which have been allocated for quarrying. But no work could be carried out since October last year due to several reasons, including agitation of Matra Sadan, Ardh Kumbh fair from January to April and later due to President rule.”

“There is an elected government in the state now but still we are not getting permission for no specific reason. We have been paying royalty and charge of permit lots,” he added.