Though the technical team that recently studied the area concluded that the mines located in Narpani, Arghakhanchi has neither water-recharging points nor it harbors water sources, locals do not agree with it. [break]
“There was no problem with water sources till last year. But six out of seven water sources - on which residents of four wards were reliant on for generations - have dried up now. What is the reason behind it if not the mining works?” questioned Balkumari KC, 56, a resident of Narpani-7.
Raising such questions, locals have brought mining works to a halt from November 2011. They have also refused to sit for talks despite repeated calls by the industry.
The loggerhead, meanwhile, has affected the supply of limestone to the industry established with an investment of Rs 1.60 billion. It is presently managing productions by using stocks and sourcing limestone from other mines in Palpa.
“The mine in Narpani, which the government has leased out to us for 30 years, is the backbone of our industry. If mining works do not resume soon, our operations will be badly affected,” said Pashupati Murarka, vice-president of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and one of the promoters of the industry.
During an interaction with journalists recently, locals blamed the lack of compliance to basic excavation norms by the contractor (hired by the industry to carry out excavation works) for the drying up of water sources.
“Om Sai (the contractor) did not follow the excavation norms, and that eventually diverted the underground flow of water, causing water sources to dry up,” said Laxman Kandel, treasure of a committee formed by locals of seven VDCs to protest mining operations.
Industry officials admitted the excavation works by the contractor could have blocked the aquifer channel, causing water to change its course. It has promised to build water reservoirs, distribution system and connect tap to all the households, ensuring smooth water supply. “Sadly, they are not taking the offer,” said Murarka.
Locals said they did not take the offer because it had made this promise six years ago, but never acted on it. “If it has not yet lived up to its words so far, how can we believe his promises are not hollow?” said Saraswoti Adhikari, a local of Narpani-7.
Some of the locals working for Om Sai said the contractor has yet to settle their wages.
Locals divided over mines operations
Still majority of locals like Pritam Bahadur Thapa of Khanchikot-1 said they have no objection over mine operations if the industry addressed their basic concerns like water availability, arranged fodder facility and provided jobs to the locals.
However, Padam KC, president of the protest committee, said they would not allow resumption of mining works. “This very approach of exhausting natural resources for development is wrong. We are for green economic revolution,” he added.
The closure of the mine has caused Arghakhanchi District Development Committee and Narpani Village Development Committee each to lose annual revenue of around Rs 450 million.
“We for our part too are losing Rs 1.20 million everyday due to the closure of mines,” said Murarka.
Rajesh Agrawal, another promoter of the industry, charged the government for showing indifference dumb to the industries´ problem. “In the lease agreement, the government has made it mandatory for us to excavate at least 1,000 tons of limestone a day,” he said, questioning: “Isn´t it the government´s job to address our problem if we are failing to comply with the basic terms of contract?”
Arghakanchi Cement Industry was established some six years ago with joint investments of Murarka Group, Siddhartha Group and Kedia Group of India. It has been actively producing 700 tons of clinkers a day, supplying it to cement factories such as Brij Cement, Supreme Cement, Siddhartha Cement and Bishal Cement.
The industry has been providing jobs to 250 locals in the mines, and employing additional 350 people in the production plants. It has bank loans of more than Rs 1.20 billion.
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