Sindh Minister for Environment and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sikandar Mandhro on Tuesday ordered immediate registration of all stone crushing units in the province.
Chairing a meeting to review environment-related issues in his office, the minister said the complaints received against many of the stone units failing to comply with environmental standards and enhancing public vulnerability to health conditions was an issue which could not be ignored.
“Direct exposure to hazardous emissions of these units does lead to atmospheric pollution and cause serious ailments,” said the minister.
He said that citizens from different parts of the province, as per their submissions, were facing serious inconvenience due to unchecked exposure to waste generated due to crushing of lime stone and other minerals as marble and so forth.
Dr Mandhro, also holding the portfolio of coastal development, directed the concerned officials to provide him details of stone crushing units registered with the department and also those which are functioning without fulfilling the required legal conditions.
The minister said that registered units must be made to strictly comply with the public safety measures prerequisite for running crushing units. “Strict and regular monitoring of these units must be ensured,” said the provincial minister for environment. As for those working without required permission, he said these must be handled in accordance with relevant rules and regulations.