The Karimnagar District Granite Quarry Owners Association has announced closure of their units for three days from Friday onwards in protest against the remarks made against them as “mafia and tax-evaders” by some politicians. Stating that the granite industry was providing employment to over 2 lakh people directly and indirectly, they said the granite quarries had come down to 50 from 253 in the integrated district following falling exports and increase in the production costs due to increase of diesel prices and labour charges. Contributing to growth“It is really unfortunate to note that the politicians were unnecessarily targeting the granite industry by branding them as mafia and tax-evaders. Stating that they were planning to launch agitations appealing the Union and State governments to help bail out crisis in the granite industry, they urged the government to measure the granite as cubic metres only instead of volumes as measured in the railways and ports. They said that the sales of granite had come down from several lakhs to 20,000 cubic metres per day in the integrated district forcing several granite units to down their shutters and the polishing units were also on the verge of closure.

Source: The Hindu September 28, 2019 19:18 UTC