| Sans rate lists, maintenance of stock register, administration unmoved | | 21 brick kilns operating illegally in R S Pura | | Akshay Azad
Jammu, July 6: Contrary to the pro active stance taken by district administration against the brazen breach of norms by brick kilns a few months ago, the district administration has turned a Nelson eye to grave violations by brick kilns operating in RS Pura tehsil, majority of whom have even expired their licenses since April, 2014,
In reply to an RTI application number RSP/OQ/2014-15/566, the Sub Divisional Magistrate RS Pura divulged that 21 brick kilns were operating in Tehsil, without renewal of their license for the ongoing financial year, which meant that the operation of all brick kilns was totally illegal.
Moreover, violating another norm, none of the brick kiln operator has displayed the rate lists which is mandatory under rulebook. "In absence of rate lists, the brick kiln operators have been charging exorbitantly from the people", an official said. Presently the brick kiln operators have been charging Rs. 5500 to Rs. 6000 for one thousands of bricks, much higher than the rate fixed by district administration Jammu.
The brick kilns which are operating without renewal of licenses included Pooran Singh at Thikurian, Swastic BC at Puro Bhan, Janak BC at Gazipur Kullian, Jawala BC and Jandial BC at Khepad, Navdurga BC at Maralian, one each at Chak Balla and Kadyal, Krishna BC at Khak Jagtu, Sarvesh BC, New Zamidar BC, Kalla BC, Mahajan BC, BS BC, New Gurdyal BC, Guruteg Bahadur BC, Gurdyal BC, Chand BC New Chand BC, Krishna BC and a brick kiln at Fatehpur.
All the above said brick kilns have not maintained the stock registers properly, the RTI reply revealed. "In absence of any stock register, the brick kiln operators are dodging the income tax authorities", Central Indian Trade Union (CITU) leader Om Parkash Khajuria said.
He further added that the list furnished by SDM RS Pura was not complete as there were more than 50 brick kilns operating in tehsil.
In the RTI application it was further divulged that total number of labourers was not available with SDM RS Pura.
Khajuria further alleged that there was deep rooted nexus between brick kiln owners and district administration, as all environment related norms, labour rules were being flouted with impunity for the last many years, but no action has been taken. SDM RS Pura RK Sharma admitted that brick kiln operators were committing violations, adding, "he will soon initiate action against the brick kiln owners, operating without renewal of their licenses and have not displayed the rate lists and have maintained the stock registers".
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, AK Sahu said, "provide me the list of brick kilns violating the norms and I will surely take action". |
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