Kerala to lift ban on small quarry operations

CM Oommen Chandy said construction sector in the state came to a standstill due to scarcity of metals and other raw materials

The Kerala Cabinet today decided to withdraw an order halting the operation of small-scale quarries taking into consideration the shortage of metals for construction activities in the state.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy said the construction sector in the state came to a standstill due to scarcity of metals and other raw materials following the stop memo issued to small quarries and withdrawing of licences issued to quarries after August 2013 after a directive of the National Green Tribunal.

Quarry owners have launched strike against this move and all quarries in the state have been shut down. Many development activities of the government has also stopped, Chandy said.

Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court had also observed in a related case that the National Green Tribunal directive pertains only to sand mining, he told reporters.

Taking into consideration all these factors, the government has decided to withdraw the order of mining and geology department to stop small-scale mineral mining activities, Chandy added.

On other decisions, he said the Cabinet approved the Kerala Administrative Service Report submitted by the committee headed by the chief secretary, set up in September last year to study the need for state Civil Service.

Follow up action in connection with preparation of draft Bill will be initiated, he said.

"The recommendation is for starting State Civil Service, which will be known as Kerala Administrative Service, for which personnel from 18 departments will be considered", he said.