Sigh of relief for farmers as J&K allows operation of brick kilns
Ahead of the harvesting season of Rabi crops, thousands of farmers heaved a sigh of relief as administration of the Union territory of J&K has issued a formal order to allow functioning of brick kilns.
Over three lakh migrant labour—hired by the brick kiln owners from different parts of the country—are engaged by farmers during sowing and harvesting seasons.
“We were worried due to unavailability of workers this year as our crops are ready for harvesting,” Raghubir Singh, a farmer of Arnia, told The Tribune, adding, “Decision to allow operation of brick kiln would solve our problem to large extent.”
“Although we hired these labourers for making bricks but this workforce is also engaged by nearby farmers during harvesting and sowing season,” Manmohan Singh, leader of Brick Kiln Association, said.
He said harvesting of Rabi crops in the plains of Jammu province was solely dependent upon this workforce so authorities have realised that this force was also required in the next fortnight for harvesting of wheat crop.
Realising that preventing exodus of over three lakh workers was not possible without allowing operation of brick kilns, the UT administration, on late Tuesday evening, has issued formal order in this regard.
Brick kiln owners have been directed to strictly follow lockdown protocols like social distancing.
Although some districts have earlier allowed operation of brick kilns, now permission has been granted for the whole UT.
“Over three lakh labourers from states of Chattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh have been working in brick kiln across J&K. Since lockdown, we have been providing food and shelter to these labourers from our own pocket without any work”, Manmohan Singh, said.
He said without commencing operation it was difficult rather impossible to prevent exodus of these migrant workers.
Singh said that workers engaged in brick kiln industry rarely mingled with other population so allowing operations would not defeat lockdown or social distancing spirit.
“We have already assured the administration that our workers would not mingle with population in the villages so there is no question of violation of the concept of social distancing,” he said.
Harvesting of Rabi crops in plains of Jammu largely depend on brick kiln workers.
Over three lakh migrant labourers have been engaged by owners of over 300 brick kilns across Jammu.
These workers already reached Jammu in the month of December last year and now sitting idle since imposition of lockdown.
