Four-member panel to solve marble industry problems: minister rejects to waive penalty on overloading

The Minister of Communication has rejected a proposal of All Pakistan Marble Industries Association to waive Rs 5000 penalty on overloading marble and granite in commercial vehicles, carrying such items from NWFP to down country. Office-bearers of All Pakistan Marble Industries Association (Apmia) met Communication Minister Alamgir Khan here on Saturday in Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Apmia members informed the minister of the problems faced by them due to overloading and other issues relating to transportation and communication. Sources in National Highway Authority told Business Recorder that the single-excel trucks can carry loads up to 17.5 tons, whereas NHA has increased exemption limit up to 20 tons. However, marble industry is loading marbles/stones about 27 to 30 tons in each truck, which is a clear violation of the laid down rules.
The Minister informed them that this overloading would not be tolerated and infrastructure and roads cannot be allowed to be destroyed for small businesses. He said that roads and communication are also an important part of the economy, which cannot be destroyed in the name of overloading of cargo in commercial vehicles. The Chamber was presented three alternatives on this issue. The machinery should be installed for cutting big rocks into small pieces.
This would be instrumental in checking the problem of overloading in trucks as small pieces of marbles could be easily transported from one place to another. Under short-term policy, it was proposed to reduce fine and penalty on marble industry on committing overloading.
Thirdly, under long-term policy, import of multi-excel trucks be allowed, and existing trucks be upgraded to multi-excel trucks to facilitate the marble industry. Apmia General Secretary Arshad Naseem told Business Recorder that the ministry has not yet outrightly rejected the proposals, but acknowledged the problems being faced by the marble industry.
The minister had patiently heard the viewpoint of the marble industry and assured of full co-operation to resolve the issues, the marble industry spokesman said. To find a solution of this problem, a four-member committee has been constituted, with 2 members each from the Chamber of Commerce and NHA, which would submit recommendations on Monday, he added.