Association Announces Indefinite Strike Over Government’s Failure to Meet Demands

The Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association has called for the state government to fulfill its demands, which include opening sand quarries and owning the crusher units, amidst an indefinite strike beginning on May 23. The association, led by president Sella Rajamani, has been advocating for the government to resume operations at sand quarries that have remained inactive for over 18 months due to Enforcement Directorate raids and registered cases.

The unavailability of sand for construction has led to the increased utilization of M-Sand, a material that is more expensive than P-Sand. Crusher unit owners have taken advantage of this situation to raise the prices of both materials, despite the government announcing a reduction of ₹1,000 per unit on M-Sand, P-Sand, and jelly stones starting April 24. This move has resulted in a significant loss to the government, with over 70% of the materials being sent to Karnataka, where prices are higher. Mr. Rajamani emphasized the need for the government to take control of all crusher units and implement an online booking system to provide materials to construction projects. “The government should operate sand quarries immediately to meet the demands of thousands of sand lorry owners and lorry drivers who are unable to pay their loan instalments due to the inactivity of sand quarries,” he said. Furthermore, the association has urged the government to make changes to the Motor Vehicles Act to curb accidents in the state and enforce stricter passing load limits to prevent overloading of lorries. “We have taken these demands to the government, but they have been ignored. Hence, we will be going on strike from May 23 across the state,” Mr. Rajamani stated. The association’s demands are aimed at addressing the ongoing issues affecting the sand lorry owners, including the unavailability of sand, the price hike, and the lack of government action. By going on strike, the association hopes to bring attention to these critical issues and push the government to meet its demands.

The association president emphasized the importance of the government’s response to the ongoing crisis. “We urge the government to take immediate action to address the issues faced by the sand lorry owners and the 30 lakh construction workers who are affected by the inactivity of sand quarries. We are willing to negotiate and find solutions that benefit both parties,” Mr. Rajamani said.

The strike is a result of the association’s inability to resolve the issues through internal means.

The indefinite strike will impact the entire construction sector, which relies heavily on the availability of sand and the fair prices of construction materials. The strike is expected to affect not only the sand lorry owners but also the lorry drivers, construction workers, and the government, which will lose revenue due to the halted construction activities. The association’s demands are reasonable and aim to address the critical issues faced by the sand lorry owners and the construction industry. By going on strike, the association hopes to bring attention to these issues and push the government to meet its demands.

The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the construction industry and the state’s economy.

The strike is a result of the association’s inability to resolve the issues through internal means. The association has been advocating for the government’s intervention to address the ongoing crisis, and the indefinite strike is a clear indication of the urgent need for action.