Crusher industry operators registered and operating across the country have warned of launching a protest, citing the government’s continued failure to address their demands, particularly in relation to the renewal process of crusher industries.

The decision to take the path of protest was made during the fifth central executive committee meeting of the Crusher Industry Federation, held in Kathmandu under the chairmanship of Sitaram Neupane. According to Chairman Neupane, crusher industries registered and licensed in 70 districts of the country have been unable to renew their licences.

He stated that there is a growing trend of government bodies — particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport — failing to coordinate effectively. The Federation believes that the government must immediately create an environment that allows legally registered crusher industries to renew their licences and resume extraction, production, and distribution.

Although the renewal of crusher industries has been halted since 2016, a new set of standards issued in March 2021 had provided a one-year timeframe for compliance. However, the crusher industries, instead of making efforts to meet the criteria set by the government, knocked the door of the Supreme Court. The apex court in 2023 quashed the writ petition filed by the crusher industries.

The Federation claims that despite repeated demands during meetings and formal communications, the government has remained unresponsive. Chairman Neupane remarked, “We have fulfilled our tax obligations, therefore our right to operate businesses lawfully must be ensured.

If their demands continue to be ignored, the operators warned that the protest will be further intensified.

The Federation has submitted memorandums to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of General Administration, Ministry of Industry, and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, but expressed deep disappointment over the lack of any concrete solution till date.

According to the Federation, crusher industries have been operating since 1983 and their licenses were regularly renewed up until 2015. The government drafted crusher-related standards in 2015, which were approved only in 2023.