Panauti Municipality closes three mining industries operating illegally

By Kedar Timalsina,Banepa, Mar. 8: Three mining industries operating illegally in Panauti Municipality of Kavrepalanchowk district have been closed.

After various criticisms about the illegal mines being operated in collusion with the local level and people's representatives surfaced, Panauti Municipality on Thursday closed three mining industries operating illegally within the municipality.

Mayor of Panauti Municipality Ram Sharan Bhandari said that out of 10 mining industries approved by the Department of Mines and Geology within Panauti Municipality, Diamond Stone Mining Industries Pvt. Ltd. in Panauti Municipality-2, Diplakshmi Aggregate Pvt. Ltd. and Bhaleshwor Gravels Stone Industry in Ward No. 12 have been closed. 

"The mining period issued by the Department of Mines and Geology for the three industries has expired, but they have continued to operate despite repeated requests to close them since November. We have closed all three mines until further notice as per the decision of the executive meeting of the municipality," said Bhandari. 

The meeting of the municipality was held on Thursday morning to close the mines operating illegally within the municipality. 

Immediately after the meeting, the municipality closed the illegal mines with the help of the police and administration. 

Along with closing the three illegal mining industries, the municipality has issued a seven-day deadline notice for the crusher industries operating within the municipal area to submit necessary documents, including ensuring the source of raw materials, registration, renewal, tax payment, and operation permits. 

Mayor Bhandari said that three crusher industries related to Diplakshmi, previously shut down in Ward No. 12, were found to be operational. “If these crushers fail to provide evidence of securing their raw material source within seven days, they will face closure as well,” he said. 

The municipality had closed one of the 11 general construction-related mines approved by the Department of Mines and Geology two years ago. 

He said that despite informing the district administration and police about the illegal mining, no action was taken by any agency, so the municipality took the initiative and closed the mining industries.

He said that as the citizens of Ward No. 2 of the municipality requested the relocation of the settlement due to the mining, the municipality has requested the National Disaster Management Authority to relocate the settlements of Ward Nos 2, 12 and 11 which were uninhabitable due to floods and landslides.

The statistics of the District Coordination Committee showed that 26 mines are in operation in the district. 

Meanwhile, due to disputes between the three levels of government, the crusher industries operating in the district since 2017 have not been renewed. 

Despite not being renewed, the crusher industries have continued to operate confidently within the district, yet no action has been taken against them. There are 33 crusher industries registered in the district. 

Sitaram Ghimire, Chief of the Industry and Commerce Office, Kavrepalanchowk, admitted that crusher industries were operating illegally in the district even though the license of the crusher industries was not renewed after 2017. 

He said that even though the crusher industries were operating illegally, action could not be taken.