TN Stone Quarry, Lorry Owners Announce Indefinite Strike Over New Tax

The Tamil Nadu Stone Quarry, Crusher, and Lorry Owners Association has declared an indefinite strike starting today, April 16, in protest against the state government’s introduction of a new “land bearing cost” tax.

The association claims the new levy, along with recent hikes in other operational fees, is making the business financially unviable. They argue that the added burden has triggered a steep rise in the prices of essential construction materials, directly impacting the construction industry across the state.

“The land bearing cost on boulder stones was introduced this year without proper consultation. It has pushed up costs to ₹1,000 per unit. Despite that, we still sell aggregates at ₹500 less than in other states,” said P. Jagadeesan, Treasurer of the Stone Quarry, Crushers and Lorry Owners Associations in Erode district.

Contractors have raised concerns that construction costs and timelines are being severely affected due to the rising prices of raw materials. Many attribute the cost inflation not to the materials themselves, but to the state-imposed taxes and charges.

“The government’s decision is forcing us to raise prices. This affects both the public and the construction industry,” expressed a member of the association.

Industry experts caution that ongoing strikes could lead to major disruptions in obtaining key materials like stone aggregates. These materials are vital for construction and real estate projects.

The association is demanding an immediate cancellation of the new costs placed on boulder stones. They have also requested that the state review the tax system applied to the quarrying and transport sectors.