Pampore, Jammu & Kashmir – For nearly 150 years, the communities of Wuyan, Khonmoh, Shar-I-Shali, Ladhoo, Mandekpal, and surrounding areas in Tehsil Pampore have depended on stone quarries and crushing units as their main source of livelihood. This time-honored tradition, passed down through generations, has been the backbone of the local economy, empowering families through stone extraction and processing.
These quarries, renowned for producing Wuyan metal (WBM, WMM), have played a crucial role in the region’s infrastructure, supplying essential materials for road construction and various projects. The government has significantly benefited from the revenue generated through royalties and fees from this industry.
However, the quarry workers and stone crusher operators now face escalating challenges. Recent restrictions imposed by authorities have severely limited their ability to operate, leading to widespread economic distress. Many workers have incurred debts to sustain their businesses, but the suspension of work has turned these loans into non-performing assets (NPAs), deepening their financial struggles.
The ramifications of these restrictions extend beyond the workers themselves, jeopardizing the education of their children as families grapple with school fees, threatening the future of the younger generation. Despite complying with regulations set by the Geology and Mining Department, the issuance of short-term permits halted in June 2019, leaving the community in a precarious situation.
This cessation has also impacted around 70 stone crusher units in Wuyan, many of which have been operational for five decades. These units represent significant investments and are vital to the state’s development, providing employment for numerous individuals.
In a recent development, Ab. Rahim Khanday, President of the Quarry Association Wuyan, and Farooq Ahmad Wani, Sarpanch of Wuyan, engaged in crucial discussions with Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, a Malaysian-returned entrepreneur and social activist. This meeting, attended by representatives from various digital media outlets, aimed to shed light on the dire circumstances facing the quarry workers.
Dr. Bhat has urgently appealed to Sh. Manoj Sinha, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, to take immediate action and address the pressing issues confronting the quarrying community. He emphasized the need for prompt humanitarian intervention to ensure the livelihood and welfare of those affected.
A memorandum submitted via email calls for a review and favorable action to restore the operations of stone quarries and crushing units, thereby securing the economic stability and future of the local population.
