Labourer and transporters today protested against the government for deciding to lease out the mining in streams to extract boulders and other minerals from them.The protesters were supported by former minister and DNP chairman Ghulam Hassan Mir.Led by Tipper Owners Union Gulmarg, the labourers and vehicle tipper owners said that leasing out the extraction of boulders and sand in the state will hit their livelihood.“We are making our livelihood from extraction of boulders and sand from the streams and nallahs in Kunzer and Tangmarg areas. By adopting new policy of leasing out the extraction to people, our labour will get badly hit,” the protesters said.
The protested in Kuner market today and shouted slogans against the government and demanded roll back of the lease system.Lending his support to the protesting labourers and drivers, former minster and DNP chief Ghulam Hassan Mir said the system of royalty that was in practice was good and beneficial for both the labourers and the government.“Now leasing out extraction of boulders and sand to parties will badly affect these labourers. Lease system is fine for big mines in other states of the country. But in Jammu and Kashmir, it will negatively impact people here,” Mir said.“I support the demand of these agitating people to rollback the lease system and operate under the royalty system that is in practice here for years,” Mir said. (KNS)