States » EastPosted at: Sep 23 2026 11:37PM


Bengal: Birbhum stone industry faces uncertainty as 193 crushers asked to produce valid documents

Rampurhat, Sep 23 (UNI) The massive stone quarrying and crushing industry in Birbhum is facing an unprecedented crisis ahead of the festive season, with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issuing a strict ultimatum to the labour-intensive units to produce valid operational documents and environmental clearances by October 8.
As many as 193 crushers face possible administrative action if they fail to comply with the directive, putting the livelihoods of thousands of workers at risk ahead of Durga Puja. An estimated 90,000 people are engaged in the stone mining and crushing sector in Birbhum district.
For over 15 years, the stone quarries and crushers of Birbhum have faced allegations of illegal operations. Despite political friction, routine administrative notices and heavy financial penalties, unauthorised crushers have continued to operate, according to complaints raised by various quarters.
The NGT's latest intervention has brought environmental compliance sharply into focus. Earlier this year, in February, crushers in the Panchami area were directed to submit their paperwork by April 30. Administrative sources said that out of 229 crusher units, only 36 managed to produce valid documentation, leaving the legal status of the remaining 193 units uncertain.
The scrutiny is no longer limited to Panchami. Notices have now been served across several major stone-industry hubs in the district, including Rampurhat, Nalhati, Murarai, Talbandh and Shalbadra. The administration has set a submission window between September 29 and October 8 for owners to present their environmental clearances.
The timing of the order has sent ripples through the local economy. If the 193 units fail to meet the environmental requirements, their closure could trigger significant unemployment. For a district heavily reliant on the stone-mining sector, the possibility of sudden job losses has dampened the pre-Puja festive spirit for thousands of working-class families.
The district administration has also directed around 400 crusher owners to submit valid documents and necessary environmental clearances within the specified timeframe. The move follows long-standing complaints regarding illegal stone quarrying, environmental degradation and alleged financial irregularities in the region.
For years, various quarters have raised concerns over the environmental damage caused by illegal stone extraction. Investigations into the alleged illicit trade have brought the names of several businessmen and their associates under the scanner. The ongoing probe has also brought the name of absconding businessman Tulu Mondal and his relatives into the picture, according to reports.
According to Syed Faizal Haque, a member of the Birbhum Crusher Owners Association, this is not the first time the industry has faced administrative action.
“Notices were already given to 229 crushers, including those in Panchami and Talbandh. In 2023, each operator had to pay a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh. This time, the order has been issued to submit valid documents within a specified time,” Haque said.
Environmental activist Subhash Dutta has also raised concerns over the situation, alleging that the number of illegal stone-crushing units operating in the district now vastly outnumbers the authorised ones.
“If this business continues day after day, ignoring environmental rules, future generations will have to pay the price,” Dutta said, emphasising the need to enforce judicial directives. “The court order needs to be implemented.”
The unfolding situation has left local stakeholders and residents questioning whether the administration will crack down after years of complaints or whether the units will manage to avoid closure through fresh paperwork and compliance.
The fate of the 193 stone crushers is expected to come into sharper focus on October 8, when the matter is due for its next assessment. UNI DC NST CDS
Tags: #Bengal: Birbhum stone industry faces uncertainty as 193 crushers asked to produce valid documents
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