RAWALPINDI: In order to regulate Rawalpindi’s stone crushing business, the Punjab government has formed a committee to make the necessary amendments to bring the sector into the ambit of the provincial government rather than the upcoming district council.

Led by DCO Sajid Zafar Dall, the committee met at the Commissioner Office.

At the meeting, stone crushers from Taxila demanded an extension of the lease of crushing sites in Margalla Hills in the district for another three months, as well as more leased sites without bidding. However, the committee denied the request and said the decision would be made after the finalisation of new laws to regulate the stone crushing business.

There are over 156 stone crushers in Margalla Hills in Taxila, eight of which are closed. According to the data available with Punjab Mines and Minerals Department, there are 127 stone crushers in Margalla Hills.

There are 56 stone crushers in other parts of the province of which 53 are owned by the Punjab Mines and Minerals Department and one owned by Pakistan Railways and the Punjab Agriculture Department each.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2015