Crusher entrepreneurs announce nationwide protests

KATHMANDU, APRIL 25: Crusher entrepreneurs across Nepal have announced a phased protest movement, citing government inaction in renewing licenses for the crusher, mining, and sand industries legally registered and in operation throughout the country.

The decision was made during the fifth meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the Federation of Crusher Entrepreneurs, chaired by Federation President Sitaram Nyaupane in Kathmandu. The meeting concluded that, despite repeated appeals, the government has failed to address their concerns, leaving them with no option but to pursue a protest.

According to Nyaupane, crusher industries in all 77 districts that are registered and licensed under existing laws have been unable to renew their permits for several years. “Government agencies such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Finance, and others are shirking responsibility, each passing the buck to the other,” he said.

The Federation has reiterated its demand that the government urgently facilitate the renewal process for legally established industries and allow them to resume extraction, production, and distribution activities without further obstruction.

The renewal process for crusher industries was halted after 2016 (2073 BS). Although the government introduced new standards in 2020 (2077 BS) and provided a one-year compliance period, many entrepreneurs had already challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. However, on March 22, 2021 (Chaitra 9, 2077 BS), the Court dismissed their petition.

“We pay taxes and operate within the bounds of the law. Our right to conduct business must be ensured,” said Nyaupane. “If our demands continue to be ignored, we will intensify our protest.” Entrepreneurs have already submitted memoranda to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, the Ministry of Industry, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Despite this, they say the government has failed to offer any concrete solutions, leading to growing frustration within the sector.

The Federation reports that crusher industries have been registered in Nepal since 1990 (2047 BS), with regular renewals taking place until 2015 (2072 BS). Although new operational standards were drafted that same year, they were only approved in 2020.

Nyaupane argues that applying the 2020 standards retroactively to industries that were already in operation is unjust. “If compliance with the new standards is mandatory, then the government must first provide suitable relocation sites for affected industries,” he stated. He also emphasised that although these legally registered industries have been unable to renew their licenses due to policy barriers, they have continued to pay taxes and fees. He urged the government to immediately resolve the issue by renewing these industries without further delay.

Established in 2013 (2070 BS), the Federation now represents over 500 entrepreneurs and maintains district-level chapters in more than 50 districts across the country.