Punjab Crushers’ Association seeks government relief

Spread the news

Industry body flags policy uncertainty, power cuts, portal glitches, demands time-bound reforms

Chandigarh: The All Punjab Crushers’ Association has urged the Punjab government to resolve operational, technical and financial issues affecting the state’s stone crusher industry, warning that continued delays could lead to a shutdown of operations and a state-wide agitation.

Addressing a press conference, association chairman Major BD Gupta and president Manpreet Singh Gill said the industry supplied essential construction materials for roads, bridges and highways but continued to face procedural hurdles and policy uncertainty. They called for transparent regulations and a stable business environment.

The association said crusher units had earlier operated under the Industries Department with approvals from the Punjab Pollution Control Board. Since their transfer to the Mines Department in 2015, operators had faced policy instability and legal disputes. It maintained that crusher owners purchased raw material from mines and paid applicable royalty, GST and other government dues.

Frequent power failures and technical glitches on the departmental portal were among the major concerns. The association said these problems disrupted vehicle loading, delayed mandatory Q-bills and left loaded vehicles stranded. It sought clear guidelines for operating high-capacity generator sets and portal improvements.

The association also demanded time-bound decisions on stock returns, expansion-factor calculations and registration renewals, along with refunds of excess charges collected on stock held before the Mineral Processing Fee (MPF) came into force. It said MPF should be levied on processed material rather than sales bills, in accordance with the applicable Act.

It also sought rationalisation of government charges, including MPF, the Environmental Management Fund, registration fees, GST, and electricity expenses. The body called for stronger enforcement against illegal mining, better monitoring at interstate check posts and consultation with industry representatives before new policies were introduced.

The association said the Mining Department should focus on preventing illegal mining at mine sites and riverbeds instead of placing such responsibilities on crusher operators. It urged the government to introduce time-bound reforms to protect revenue, ensure fair competition and support the industry’s sustainable growth.