Power supply to illegal crushers cut off

By Bijay Kumar Sah,Dhalkebar, Feb. 14: The electricity supply to crusher industries operating without completing legal procedures in Mithila Municipality of Dhanusha has been cut off.

The electricity supply of nine crusher industries operating within the municipality have been disconnected under the direction of the District Monitoring Committee.

After increasing complaints of illegal mining, export and excavation of river materials from the Aurahi River in Mithila Municipality, a team of stakeholders has conducted on-site monitoring and cut off the power supply connected to the illegally operating crusher industries.

On Thursday morning, the monitoring team led by Rajnandan Mandal, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, Dhanusha, was attended by Chief District Officer Ramuraj Kadariya, District Police Chief Bhubaneshwor Tiwari, Superintendent of Armed Police Nirmal Khadka, District Chief, Deputy Research Director of the National Investigation Department Ganesh Acharya, local people's representatives and about two dozen locals.

The monitoring team reached the Aurahi River and received information about the exploitation of riverine materials there. 

During the inspection, most of the crusher industries did not comply with the standards as per the initial environmental study, said Chief District Officer, Dhanusha Kadariya. 

He informed that the monitoring team has instructed to disconnect the electricity supply to control the activities of industries operating against government regulations.

According to him, they have instructed to stop the transportation of materials stored in the industries until the source and their validity are verified.  He said that a policy will be adopted to allow crushers to operate only after completing the necessary verification processes in coordination with the local level.

It is said that further action will be taken against such industries as they are found to have violated government rules and not met environmental standards. 

The monitoring team has warned that no crusher industry that does not complete the legal process will be allowed to operate.