During a meeting of the Parliamentary Development Committee on Thursday, Minister Mahat underscored the need for proper management in extraction of sand, boulders and grits instead of stopping the exports to India.

“I have not understood why exports of Nepal’s natural resources to India should be stopped,” Mahat said."I don't get the theory behind it."

Mahat said that stopping the exports of construction materials such as sand and pebbles could take its toll on the national economy.

“The exports should not be banned so as to empty the state coffers. Extraction should be carried out without degrading the Chure ecosystem and exports should continue,” said the finance minister.

After protests from the crusher industries, Economic and Infrastructure Committee, headed by Mahat himself, of the Cabinet had lifted the ban on extraction, collection and export of natural resources for crusher industries until January 14 next year. The ban was imposed by Ministry of Commerce and Supplies in July.

An estimated 458 crusher industries have been operating in 37 districts in the country. Their annual production is worth Rs. 60 billion with only Rs. 10 billion worth of products used in the country.

The government also receives annual revenue of Rs. 2.5 billion from such industries.