The Federation of Minor Minerals Industry (FEMMI)’s national secretary general Ch. Rao said that over 3,500 mining and processing units had halted operations completely in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and other parts of Andhra Pradesh due to unprecedented hike in licence fees, multiple taxes, restrictions and involvement of private parties in tax collection and other administrative activities.
He urged the State government to hold a meeting immediately with the stakeholders as over 50,000 workers had lost their livelihood with the stopping of mining activity across the State. He said that over 10,000 workers of the granite industry of Srikakulam were unable to earn their daily wage due to the crisis in the industry.
