Crusher and Mining Industry Association Welcomes Government Policy

Kathmandu. The Nepal Crusher and Mining Industry Entrepreneurs Association has welcomed the government's policy and program. The policy and program for the fiscal year 2082/083, made public by the government on Monday, mentions the active participation of the private sector in the commercial production, utilization, and marketing of natural and mineral resources.

Similarly, a policy has been included to arrange for the excavation and processing of mineral and river-based construction materials that are suitable based on environmental impact assessment and economically feasible, for internal use as well as export. The Nepal Crusher and Mining Industry Entrepreneurs Association has taken this policy arrangement positively. The association's president, Sitaram Neupane, expressed gratitude to the government, stating that the government's policy and program signals providing some clarity to the mining and crusher sector, which has been mired in controversy and uncertainty for a long time.

According to him, construction materials like stone, gravel, and sand in Nepal are essential resources for national infrastructure development. He stated that although production and employment can be increased by scientifically utilizing such natural resources, this sector has remained in the shadows due to policy ambiguity, legal complexities, and lack of implementation in the past.

President Neupane mentioned that about 700 legally registered crusher industries are in serious trouble due to the long-standing non-renewal of their licenses. According to him, businessmen have become unable to conduct business legally since the renewal process for these industries has been obstructed after 2071 BS.

He stated that due to non-renewal, industrialists are facing difficulties in operating bank accounts, taking loans, buying and selling property, and expanding businesses through bank loans. The association states that this has created a situation where businessmen are deprived of their legal rights.

Neupane urged the government to find a long-term solution to such problems and emphasized the need to quickly conclude the construction-oriented bill proposed by the Ministry of General Administration. He stressed that the bill, currently stuck in the State Affairs Committee of the Parliament, should be passed after amending controversial issues through extensive discussions with stakeholders.

According to him, it is necessary to clearly delineate the responsibilities and accountability for excavation, transportation, and processing to systematize the crusher and mining sector. He stated that the legal division should be clear, as in most cases, irregularities related to excavation or problems seen in the transportation process are solely blamed on crusher entrepreneurs.

Likewise, the association has also pointed out the need to take the management of river-based and mineral-based resources into separate policies and legal frameworks. He stated that since crusher industries primarily perform processing, the responsibility for excavation and supply should be clearly assigned to the respective bodies.

• What do crusher entrepreneurs want in the budget?

The entrepreneurs' demand is for a long-term policy in the upcoming budget, recognizing the crusher and mining sector as a fundamental component of national infrastructure development. They suggest making systematic policies based on the source, rather than treating construction materials like stone, gravel, sand, and cement with the same perspective.

The association has also urged the government to create an environment of regular dialogue and cooperation with the private sector. They believe that meaningful results can only be achieved if stakeholder participation is ensured from policy formulation to implementation.

President Neupane stated that in the context of the government's goal of building a self-reliant economy by mobilizing the country's natural resources, the private sector is also ready to contribute with high morale in a legal manner. He expressed the view that policy implementation would be more effective if a permanent dialogue mechanism between the government and the private sector could be established.

The association has emphasized the need to implement the government's policy and program, which it views as a positive signal. Entrepreneurs expect clear legal provisions, resolution of renewal problems, and a transparent regulatory system.