Permit granite quarries to restore livelihood of 30,000, urges assn

Talking to reporters, ASSI president P Rajasekaran said 175 lease hold granite quarries granted by the state, were in operation before August 2012 in Madurai district.

Following certain allegations, show cause notices were issued to 84 granite quarries and the remaining 91 quarries have also been shut citing that they were in-operational for two years, causing adverse impact and loss to industry and banks, besides loss of jobs. Noting that 100 workers were employed in a quarry, he said a total of 17,500 rural workers were working in them. Apart from them, 12,500 workers were involved in incidental and ancillary works like workshop, transport operators, spares, electricians, mechanics, machinery suppliers, among others.

As such a total of 30,000 workers have lost their livelihood and their family were in distress for the last eight years, he added.

Rajasekaran said taking into account 2011-12 as the base year, the loss of revenue to the government by way of royalty payable for the period 2012-13 to 2019-20 due to closure and non-operation of granite quarries in Madurai district alone was Rs 212.24 crore (Rs 26.53 crore for a year). The loss of foreign exchange for the same period was Rs 3,386.24 crore, he added. Considering the plight of the granite quarry workers, the ASSI urged the state government to accord permission for reviving/re-opening the granite quarries.