Ban on sand, gravel and mining should be lifted: JKCCC

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee Chairman, Ghulam Jeelani Purza on Monday demanded release of dues of contractors from various departments and said that the review committee set up by the government has admitted that work has been done on the ground.

Talking to the media persons, he said that on the one hand, the government is talking about construction and development in Jammu and Kashmir, but the payment for work done by the contractors in 2015-16 has not been released yet.

Asking about the unavailability of material, Purza said that the Department of Mining and Geology in Jammu and Kashmir has banned sand, gravel and mining activities for the last two years, result of which is that the construction material has became more expensive. Gravel tipper that used to cost Rs 8,000, costs Rs 15,000 today.

He urged the LG management to address this important issue and lift the ban on sand gravel extraction and mining for procurement of construction materials, so as not to affect the ongoing construction activities on the ground.