Stone mining banned in Shivpuri

Barodi units facing a slow death due to bureaucratic and environmental issues

As many as 250 small-scale stone cutting and polishing units in Barodi industrial area are facing a slow death owing to bureaucratic hurdles, environment issues and political interests. In the absence of supply from these units, businesses of 15-20 exporters are also facing the wrath.

The district administration has banned mining in Shivpuri stones mines and has discontinued the issuance of fresh lease to raw material suppliers who feed these units. Shivpuri is famous for its gray, white and "panther" stones used in buildings, a large quantity of which is exported to Germany, the US and the UK and the Gulf nations

According to Shivpuri Stone Industries Association, Shivpuri stone mines created Rs 50-60 crore monthly business for the units and exporters alike till last year. "Now exporters and suppliers are mostly migrating or shutting down such units," Ganesh Ram Gupta, owner of a Shivam Stone Craft unit and office bearer of the association told Business Standard, adding, "The government does not want to allow fresh mining in forest areas, as a result of which, no fresh lease has been issued to mine holders."

However, industry sources said illegal mine operators still worked in the mines but were unable to meet overseas demands.

"Around 25 per cent of cutting and processing units have either shut down or have shifted base," an official of the Shivpuri District Industry Centre said. "Since mining activities are banned in the Majhera, Rajpur and Bedmau mines, no unit came forward to seek registration during the last fiscal in the Barodi industrial area," he added.

The association, a non-registered body, has demanded lease on small areas in sand stone mines to run the industry. However, the district administration had reportedly refused the demand on grounds of environmental and forest issues.

A stone cutting and polishing unit in Shivpuri provides jobs for at least 25,000 people, incurring a total investment of Rs 4 lakh. The units registered a roaring business during the last 10 years.