Unauthorised granite quarries increasing in Karimnagar dist

Karimnagar: The unauthorised granite quarries are increasing by the day in Karimnagar district.

There are 300 quarries in the district which are being operated on securing permission from the authorities concerned. The number of unauthorised quarries is over 200. The quarries are spread over the entire district.

The locals allege that there is collusion between the owners of quarries, some officials and people’s representatives.

There have been allegations that the owners of the granite quarries also commit irregularities while furnishing the details of the stones that they export to foreign countries. As a result, the gram panchayats and the government were losing revenue. The quarry owners have to pay a fee of Rs 25 per cubic metre to gram panchayats and tax to the government. The size of the granite stone should be indicated by painting on the stone. Tax is levied based on the size of the stone.

A local resident said, “The quarry owners give a reduced measurement of the size of the stone. As such both the panchayats and the State government lose revenue.”

Karimnagar district is known for its hillocks. The local people are expressing concern over the quarry owners demolishing hillocks for granite stones. They have been taking part in protests demanding closure of unauthorised quarries. However, the granite mafia is receiving support from some people’s representatives and officials.

The common people, at least a majority of them, are not aware of the technical details related to the granite stones business. They only complain that the district is losing its natural beauty with the hillocks disappearing due to unabated quarrying for granite stones.

There are some people who regret over selling their lands for quarries at lower rates. Those who purchased these lands were minting money carrying out flourishing business of granite stones.