Monday, 06 February 2023 | PNS | HALDWANI
The Gaula river in Haldwani is stated to be among the top revenue earners for the State government from mining for sub minerals. Generally, the mining session begins here in October but has not started so far this year. Members of various organisations under the banner of Gaula Nadi Sangharsh Samiti entered the 57th day of their protest on Sunday demanding start of mining in the Gaula river. Due to the delay in the start of the mining session, the 12 exit gates of the river area have remained closed, causing considerable financial loss to those involved in various aspects of this activity.Some sand is being taken through one gate in Haldwani but the major mining activity is yet to resume.
The head of the committee Jeevan Kandwal said that generally the Gaula is opened for mining in October but the government has remained apathetic. First, action on the demand for implementing one State one royalty policy was stalled. The royalty rate for Gaula river was Rs 33 while the royalty rates for quarrying from other rivers were considerably less. The rates were made uniform in February due to which the exit from Gaula was affected. The fitness expenses for vehicles were raised by the government due to which vehicle owners faced considerable loss. However, the main issue is regarding the extension of lease on mining plots in the Gaula river, which expired on January 23. The ministry of Environment and Forests extended the approval by one month due to which there is still uncertainty regarding mining here. There is uncertainty among vehicle owners and owners of stone crushers regarding purchase of forest sub minerals. The protesters state that if the lease is extended till February 24, the mining can begin from March but this too is questionable as the session generally ends in May.
The protesters point out that more than 10,000 vehicles are used in the mining works in Gaula and Nandhaur rivers here. Apart from the owners, drivers and helpers of these vehicles, about 50,000 labourers are said to be employed in the mining and related works. The uncertainty regarding the mining session here will cause substantial revenue loss to the government also, in addition to causing major hardships to all involved in the works.
