The State contractors sounded aggravated over the sudden hike in the royalty by the State Government. The earlier royalty rate on mining of `80 per cubic meter has been suddenly raised to `200 per cubic meter, said the district contractors’ association members, accusing the State Government of being biased against them. They threatened stir in protest. However, they added that they would seek to meet the Chief Minister to have their grievances redressed before resorting to stir.
A senior member of the association said the State Government is constantly making new rules and regulations to the detriment of the interests of the contractors. “We would not sit quiet as these are affecting our business and bread. This is nothing short of exploitation. The discrepancies are palpable as while, on one hand, the State government has given 50% reduction in mining in the hill districts like Pithoragarh it has, on the other, doubled the royalty at other places,” he said.
“We would seek to meet CM to vent our anger over the government’s arbitrary action. If things remain unaddressed we would get to the streets to pressure them to withdraw the hike. We are in desperate situation and the State Government should rise to the occasion to keep our interest in the trade intact,” he added.