Shimla, Feb 9
The Council of Ministers has been successful in resolving the contractors Strike and has decided to bring an ordinance to change the minor mining act or rules. The decision is likely to provide respite to around 20,000 contractors who had been boycotting government works since last three days. According to information, the pending payment of the contractors would be released by imposing a penalty of 25 percent on the pending royalty.
In the matter, an Ordinances would be brought to amend acts and rules. Read about the amendment approved today:Â https://himachalscape.com/coms-amends-mining-rules-fix-25-pc-royalty-in-violation-of-minor-mining/
The decision to stop the payments of contractors was taken on the directions of Himachal Pradesh High court in a petition challenging the state government and contractors for violating minor mining acts and its rules and violating regulations during construction work in the state.
Read about the High court order:https://himachalscape.com/a-bad-workman-quarrels-with-his-tools-hc-to-hp-govt/
Himachal Pradesh High court hearing a petition last month had also ordered the state government to ensure the compliance of minor mining rules stating that violation of rules could not be allowed and had directed the government to form a high level department and Government Committee to probe the matter.Â
Aggrieved by the court order and non payment of pending dues tunes to around Rs 200 Cr the contractors in the state had decided to suspend all government construction works creating a deadlock in the state.
Thereafter, Himachal Pradesh cabinet meeting was convened in a hurry on Wednesday to resolve this problem under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. In the same, the council of ministers decided to amend rules which had created deadlock in the state with stoppage of all government construction work of roads bridges, projects and building etc. Cabinet meeting lasted for about one hour, took the decision to give relief to the contractors who have reportedly now called off the strike.Â
Meeting was attended by Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, Law and Parliamentary affairs Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Industry Minister Vikram Singh, Power Minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary and Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania, alongwith others.
